I water garden in zone 4. My adventure into this fascinating hobby began in 1979 with one hardy waterlily in a container. From that simple beginning, my addiction to waterlilies blossomed into six in ground ponds, now there are five. And each year I create up to 20 container water gardens. I tend more than 25 varieties of hardy waterlilies, a tropical or two (usually night bloomers) plus many plants for the margins of our water gardens and containers.

In the mid 1990s, I started speaking and writing about water gardening. My articles have appeared in the Northern Gardener, formerly known as the Minnesota Horticulturist, official publication of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. I also contribute to the Waterlog, Minnesota Water Garden Society newsletter.

I have spoken at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, home and garden shows in the Twin Cities, and at local and statewide garden clubs and horticultural societies. I have appeared on local television promoting the joy of water gardening. Each year we welcome tours to our gardens which include not only my water gardens but my husband's hosta gardens.

In the mid 1980s, I started selling hardy waterlilies including the smaller varieties appropriate for container water gardens. I also grow some hardy marginal plants for sale.

I'm a member of Water Gardeners International, the International Waterlily and Water Garden Society, the Minnesota Water Garden Society, the Minnesota Hosta.Society and my local garden club, the Eagan Garden Club.