Fishing Pond

Nestled just east of the Spring House, the Fishing Pond offers one of the garden's most peaceful retreats and some of its best opportunities for wildlife watching. Water lilies, giant rush, lizard's tail, and a rich variety of aquatic plants create thriving habitat for birds, turtles, frogs, dragonflies, and countless other species that call the pond home. Beneath the surface, healthy populations of bluegill, sunfish, and largemouth bass ensure the pond lives up to its name.

A stroll around the shoreline reveals thoughtful touches at every turn—from the boardwalk and ancient cypress stump to picturesque views of the Spring House and its colorful mosaic aqueduct. Framed by ornamental trees, shrubs, towering pines, and species from our taxodium collection, the pond offers a quiet place to slow down and enjoy the rhythms of nature.

As you explore, don't miss the whimsical tractor-tire steps leading along the pond's edge near the aqueduct. Originally envisioned through at intern's proposal during one of the garden's annual summer intern courses, these repurposed tires transformed an everyday piece of farm equipment into functional garden steppingstones. The idea has become a lasting tradition, with recycled tractor tires now appearing throughout the garden as a creative tribute to our agricultural heritage. They serve as a reminder that with a little imagination, even the most ordinary materials can find new life in the landscape.