it was a warm day today

[greenfinger]

Making a little stream with cascade.
At this moment still more sweat than fresh water.

[ideasguy]

Looks like an AWFUL lot of work for what you refer to as a  "little stream" 
Did you dig that all manually?

[greenfinger]

Yes, slave labour by hand. You begin with one spade dig and then you take the measures, arithmical logic takes over and next the whole enterprise begins to live its own life. Before you realize you have a whole building site on your hands. It has a lot to do with calculation of the water level, liters per hour (12000 liters per hour was recommended!), resistance, you name it. I was asked to initiate my friends in this science, but after regular visits of their expert friends and neighbours it's me who is the novice. I learn a lot every day I spend on this work, so it keeps my water running.

[ideasguy]

You'll be a happy guy when you get that job finished. When do hope to have it completed?

[greenfinger]

There is a stick behind the door. The "river" has to be in working order and the garden cleaned up by the third week of May. The mistress of the house plans a big First Communion Feast by then.

[ideasguy]

You are a brave man Frodo 

On thje pessimistic side - Plan B (for the communion): Wheres the nearest small river to the house? 

[greenfinger]

Making a little stream with cascade.

The rubber and gravel have been laid out (no pictures yet), but now the question pops up: which plants to use in the water and on the "banks"? Anyone some suggestions, ideas, remarks? They would be most welcome.

[ideasguy]

My favourites for moist banks:-
Primulas (small), Rodgersia (larger).
Absolutely love them both.

Veronica prostrata (GREAT little grond hugging plant - spreads nicely)
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?Code=Z390

Also Astilbes (mine dried up badly last year in that dry summer)
One of my favourites is Astilbe chinensis var. pumila (an AGM plant). It forms a low mat of foliage all year, puts up 9-12 in spikes of flowers in summer. Should be perfect for your application.
http://www.westcountrylupins.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Astilbe_4.html


But they need continual moisture. Your man made (lined) pond may not offer the same mositure level as the banks of a natural stream. But then, the home owner can give nature a hand?

Back later with more suggestions

Is the project on schedule?

[greenfinger]

>>>>But then, the home owner can give nature a hand?<<<<
Yes, perhaps at the banks we will dig in slightlly perforated rubber at a depth of circa 45 cm and fill the gap with humusrich potting soil retaining moisture.
I think the project is on schedule but the lady of the house is getting very nervous because the big garden feasts will be the 20th and 27th of May. In such cases it can be an advantage to take on a Buddhist attitude and go for a mixture of action and contemplation. 
Thanks for the suggestions.

[ideasguy]

Yes, perhaps at the banks we will dig in slightlly perforated rubber at a depth of circa 45 cm and fill the gap with humusrich potting soil retaining moisture.

That should do the trick nicely. Do you have time?
I dont envy the pressure you are under. I can imagine that lady pacing around that little river nervously.
It would be a shame to have to rush the job to completion without adding that extra lining on the banks.

[greenfinger]

This the situation now.

[ideasguy]

Its taking shape nicely André 
I can see its going to be a lovely feature. 3rd week in May approaches!! Have you decided on the plants to use aruound the edges?

[greenfinger]

The challenge here is that the plants in this particular garden area have to like moisture AND at the same time full sun. I found good suggestions in the book "The damp garden" by Beth Chatto.
What I planted: Heuchera 'Purple Palace', Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon', Waldsteinia ternata, Bletilla striata, Sisyrinchium californium. Still looking for a place for Geranium 'Johnson's Blue', Ophiopogon planiscarpus negrescens, Campanula lactiflora, Stipa gigantea (a little part next to the "river" will be a gravel patch).

[ideasguy]

Its great to have consumed that Beth Chatto book (literally of course  )

I love all the Heuchera plants - very attractive indeed. There are some plants in your list that Ive never grown (Waldsteinia, Houttuynia , Bletilla ) so -isnt that what makes this forum interesting! Get some photos!!

Ophiopogon is a very good choice.

Theres one Campanula I'm really fond of, but dont know if it would survive it those conditions
Campanula carpatica  - available in Blue and in white. Nice and neat, about 12ins high. 
I grew mine from seed (I dont think you'll have time for THAT  )

Another plant suggestion:
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'     
I have this plant, and it is a beauty. I bought it for foliage. It has never flowered. Ive moved it a couple of weeks ago to a damper position in the garden.
It really does need moisture. It shrivels up if allowed to go dry, hence the reason for the move.

[ideasguy]

Any photos of the finished article, André?
I'd really like to see them, unless you'd prefer to wait until next growing season until the plants mature.

Any previews of what plants you used? Perhaps the plants are an on-going thing. I know the primary objective was to get it looking presentable for the big family event.

[greenfinger]

That big family event was the Communion Feast of one of the kids of Griet and Bart, who asked me a few years ago to design the long borders in their garden. I haven't visited them since the preparation of that event. I planned to do so in the next weeks, so I will take the camera with me. Have grown a few Phenospermum Globosa plants for the gravel part.

[ideasguy]

I appreciate that its a bit late this season to see the planting, Andre, but it would be nice to see the pond, and the general layout of things. Looking forward to those pics.