Ideas by the yard: Visitors ooh and ahh over backyard paradise in Waterloo
"At first, we were just going to have a pond with koi," said Vicki, 42. "I told (Tony) to make it big enough so we can step in with the fish."
A place to get their feet wet.
Like many plans, theirs changed and grew.
Now, they have a new backyard paradise.
From the top deck, you look down on a 26-by-42-foot free-form oval pool bordered by great slabs of flagstone. A waterfall tumbles into the aqua water with its paving-stone bottom.
Palm trees, banana trees and huge pots of sweet potato vine and hot pink petunias add color and interest.
"People who see pictures say it looks like a resort," said Vicki, adjusting a striped patio umbrella on a sandy spot between house and pool.
Daughter Addie, who is in the pool more than anyone, imagines one more addition.
"It needs to have a slide from the upper deck," said the 14-year-old.
On the move
The Bedwells had lived in their Belleville home 13 years before moving three years ago to a brick and sided home in Prairie Lake Estates, 6 miles outside Waterloo.
"We put it on the market in January 2008," said Vicki. "As soon as we opened the pool, it sold."
They didn't bring much from their last paradise to their new one.
"One banana tree, one elephant ear and my grandma's irises, a sample of each of them," said Tony, 47.
"We also dug up a Japanese maple from our friends in the military," said Vicki. "When they moved to London, they gave us this tree. You are good friends. Keep this tree to remember us."
They transplanted it near the backyard entry.
Jumping in
In spring 2009, the Bedwells looked online at a stone pool surrounded by boulders. That inspired Tony, who researched the project -- and they were off on another backyard adventure.
"I kind of did a rough outline with paint," said Tony.
"The shape came as we dug," said Vicki, "the same as the pool stairs. It was all kind of random.
"I do worry, but it usually works out. Just like the steps into the pool. I wanted more pool, less steps. He said, 'Trust me, it will be very cool.' It's one of my favorite things.
"My only contribution -- he had the vision -- I wanted a ledge where you could sit and lay out.
The ledge, which has a couple inches of water over it, is big enough for two white Adirondack-style chairs.
How they did it
Tony describes the pool as "basically a pond liner with paving stones." He ordered the 1,100-pound, 40-by-60-foot liner online and bought rock and paving stones from local companies.
Backyard Japanese Garden - News
Adirondack porch with hanging baskets, rock garden with Japanese garden and mix of annuals and perennials. Lemonade and cookies will be served. • 332 Adam St. Bob and Susan Gregg, front garden featuring a mature mixture of plants and pots.
The back yard contains several garden areas, including a shade garden with astilbes, hostas, bleeding hearts and spiderwort. The shade garden gives way to a succulent garden filled with butterfly-attracting sedum varieties. Flowing from the brick patio
"We also dug up a Japanese maple from our friends in the military," said Vicki. "When they moved to London, they gave us this tree. You are good friends. Keep this tree to remember us." In spring 2009, the Bedwells looked online at a stone pool
A collection of 122 different hosta plants, an extension vegetable garden, a Japanese-inspired backyard with bamboo fencing, a low-mow yard and a pond with a waterfall are all features of an upcoming Springfield-area garden tour.
A pond filled with more than 20 bright, orange Koi and waterfalls is in plain view when you walk over the bridge that connects to a secret Japanese garden. A smiling Buddha is ready to welcome visitors. Another path links to a second secret garden
Backyard Japanese Garden Pictures
Backyard Japanese Garden Pictures
Have you ever looked out your backdoor and thought to yourself, how can I spice up my backyard? Everyone dreams about turning this area into an enjoyable and relaxing getaway for family and friends, a place where you can barbecue and spend time together. And thoughts about extending the patio fills our head, as you think about how this would give you more entertaining space, extra seating or room for a bigger grill and bar setup.
But if you are the type who would rather keep your backyard to yourself. Because you want a yard that is quaint instead of the ultimate entertaining spot. A yard where you can strategically place some shrubs, a shade tree or plant some of your favorite flowers. Well this is all fine, but where do you begin? Do you just throw in some flowers and shrubs with a stone walkway. Throw that big shade tree in the middle of the yard. No! Landscaping your backyard must be done with careful thought and preparation. One way to go is to use a theme that is geared towards your hobbies, interests or a picture of the perfect area to rest and relax.
Well, the best theme to use for the perfect backyard spot is one that provides peace and relaxation. So create your own sanctuary by using a good Japanese garden design. All the element of a Japanese garden come together in such a way that allows you to getaway from the rest of the world. From the use of plants and stones all the way to the tranquil sounds of a running stream and pond.
Japanese Garden Designs: Japanese Backyard Styles A portfolio of Japanese Gardens designed by award profitable d... 
My backyard Rainbow Japanese Forest/Garden :P 
Japanese Zen Garden in Your Own Backyard Backyard Japanese Garden - Bookshelf
Creating Your Own Japanese Garden
These books are ideal for learning about the history and appearance of Japanese gardens, but lack the practical advice necessary for constructing your own ...The Art of the Japanese Garden
Gardening has reached new heights of sophistication, and this book profiles a number of the most notable gardens in Japan and beyond. the goal of a Japanese ...Living with Japanese Gardens
Living with Japanese Gardens shows how to capture and integrate an authentic Japanese aesthetic into any landscape plan.The Japanese garden, islands of serenity
Shows and describes Japan's best gardens and includes views of stone groupings, ponds, bridges, paths, fences, and stone towers and lanterns Of the ninety-six ...Sakuteiki, visions of the Japanese garden, a modern translation of Japan's gardening classic
A 1,000 year old gardening classic, Sakuteiki or "Records of Garden Making," is the oldest surviving work on Japanese gardeningDay-by-day Information Directory
The Backyard Gardener
Resource site that provides gardening plans and plant lists for a number of different garden types.
Backyard Japanese Gardens
If done well, a Japanese garden will have beauty, and reflect a balance often found in nature.
Plant a Japanese Garden in Your Backyard : Archive : Home ...
An open patch of weeds is transformed into a Japanese strolling garden.
Japanese Rock Gardens | Design Tips
Learn more about Japanese Rock Gardens and the basic stone types used in a japanese rock garden.
Japanese Garden History
Knowing Japanese garden history helps when creating your Japanese garden
