Do you want to attract wildlife with a water garden but live with a small outdoor space?

Think about these 4 considerations for container water gardening.

1. Your Space

Is it sunny or shady? Is it a small area with a high brick wall, or is it more open to its surroundings?

Most water garden plants do better in full sun, but shade choices exist, too.

2. What Kind of Wildlife?

Do you want to attract wild birds, butterflies, toads, or dragonflies? Do you want to discourage larger mammals from visiting?

Larger mammals and amphibians like toads prefer ground-level watering sources, like in-ground, shallow water gardens. Some wild birds will drink from ground-level water sources while others will visit water gardens at a height. Many birds appreciate moving water, as with a bubbler or fountain.

Butterflies like moist mud and gravel, as do friendly bees. Dragonflies prefer deeper water with cover, like water lilies.

A bog water garden will attract critters that like mud and gravel, while a deeper water pond may attract dragonflies.

3. Winter Conditions

In climates where winter temperatures can stay below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to either shut down and store the water garden or heat it over the winter. In slightly warmer winters you can leave the container garden outside, although it's best to bury most of it in the ground, if possible. Alternatively, wrap it in insulating material. Move terra cotta, ceramic, and tiled containers indoors in cold winters; they aren't likely to survive freezing temperatures intact.

Also, you're not going attract much beyond wild birds, squirrels, and larger mammals during the colder winter months.

4. Safety

• Wild birds and other wildlife can drown in water gardens deeper than a couple of inches. For a deeper water garden, you may want to add more plants or rock islands or cover the top of the garden with a screen, grid, or subtle cover that fits your container (for example, an 18" diameter top to a flower support).
• If you're water gardening on a deck or balcony, check into how much weight your structure will hold. Larger water gardens can be quite heavy, and you want to keep your deck and balcony intact.
• Consider placing a strong plant caddy or other rolling platform under your water gardens so you can move them easier.