Water lilies enchant with their wide leaves and beautiful blooms, which last three or four days before sinking beneath the surface.
Goldfish and koi not only look pretty, they also keep the water circulating and eat algae and harmful insects, such as mosquito larvae.
Large stones make a perfect path across a large backyard pond, putting visitors within arms length of the water lilies below.
To create a more natural-looking water garden, use rocks of various sizes along the perimeter, and plant some shallow-water plants near the edge, placing some in and some out of the water.
Fountains, such as this one made from a large planter, add visual interest and provide the therapeutic sound of running water.