Fish-pond-in-a-fountain II, the christening

Work in the fish basin done

for now

The ungrateful frogs might not be profiting from our joint labors, but the fish and the two littler frogs certainly are, just like Audouin and I might. It appears that cooperation -- working together on a common project -- helps increase the level of some hormone or another that enhances intimacy.

Do you suppose it still works even when you disagree about where to put some of the plants?

I gave in and let him put the cupid and its dolphin back in at the bottom. That has to count for something, doesn't it? After all, it was his idea in the first place, some years ago.

The new plants are:

Schizostylis coccinea, or Kaffir Lily... says it blooms until December on the ticket... we'll see
Iris ensata 'Royal Banner', or Japanese Water Iris... a summer bloomer
Myosotis palustris, or Water Forget-Me-Nots
Equisetum ramosissimum var. japonicum, or Japanese Horsetail
Cyperus longus, or Sweet Galingale
Isolepis cernus, or Mop Sedge, Fiber Optics Grass

I have such a tiny area that this is all I could bring home for it, and only one of each at that. They don't all flower at once, so it shouldn't be too riotous. I also added some irises that had spread into the basin from who knows where (probably the basin), and some saxifragia from the bowls and pots alongside the border. Oh, and the angel hair grass I had planted nearby. A small tuft of it. My hope is that the grasses spread and sort of engulf the rest, along with more moss, making a wild mass like it used to be, with some flowers in it.

Some of the reeds that I had saved went back in, too. Audouin wanted to bundle the roots up right away to keep it from spreading, but I want it to spread (a bit) and the fish love the roots for laying their eggs. I think the frogs benefit from them, too, when it's time to hibernate.

The fish hid all afternoon, while we were around, and as soon as most everyone was gone somewhere else, they came out and started playing tag. All I had to do to break up the game was to come down from the balcony and approach the basin. Zoom! Gone. I stayed (nearly) perfectly still, and one and then two... they ventured back out. I can't say that I blame them. They have been through a lot, but things should settle down now that the water is holding.

I am hoping for the rest of my life.

We'll see if the adult frogs return from the bottom of the garden, where I am (nearly) certain that I hear them croaking away. Probably in the pool. Where they shouldn't be. I have seen them hop away from the basin before, off toward the planting beds, and then they come back. I suspect they have gone to do the same thing. Maybe we'll have even more before long.
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