Despite living in a high desert location, a number of south metro area gardeners maintain a pond in their yard, with a collection of water lilies, cannas and more — plus perhaps a few brilliantly-hued fish.

So, when the Colorado Water Garden Society holds a sale, those gardeners appear to find a new flowering plant, or one with specially-shaped or colored leaves.

The CWGS will do exactly that on Sunday, June 5 at Hudson Gardens (in the area near the business office), open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (While there, visit the water lily ponds at Hudson Gardens.)

Parking at 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, is free and one can walk into the gardens from the lot and head north to the sale area. Admission is free and the gardens are open until late afternoon.

There will be an assortment of aquatic plants, including tropical water lilies, hardy water lilies, lotus, cannas, taro, water iris and many other marginals according to CWGS publicist Jim Arneill, a retired local teacher, who is among the well-informed staff and will be available to talk about various plants and how to care for them.

There will also be fertilizer tablets for sale, he says.

The Colorado Water Garden Society welcomes new members. It started with a class offered at Denver Botanic Gardens in 1983, after a few organizational issues were resolved. The first plant sale was held in 1985 and programs offered by members began at area garden centers. In 1987, the CWGS began an endowment fund at the Denver Botanic Gardens to be used for the plant collection and other expenses and the CWGS and the International Water Lily Society held the International Water Lily Society Symposium. In 1986, the CWGS was invited to exhibit at the annual Colorado Garden and Home Show.

A May 1990 issue of Horticulture magazine recognized the society and water gardening in the Rocky Mountain region.

Society members volunteer to work at Denver Botanic Gardens’ aquatics as well as with the lily ponds at Hudson Gardens in Littleton, and have contributed time to restoration of Denver City Park’s Water Lily Ponds.

Both beautiful parks are open to the public at no charge and offer a fine place for family outings, with details to appeal to all ages. Perfect for a family weekend picnic or an outing with visiting Aunt Minnie from Cincinnati.