Nelson Water Gardens & Nursery

Watergardens. There are tons of them around in the community, from back yards to public spaces and business grounds, but who sells to them or helps people who are interested in the topic and need to learn? Well, if you live i the Houston area, there are not that many places devoted to the water garden. Nelson Water Gardens and Nursery is the place to go. They have seminars, supplies, aquatic plants, land plants, and the professionals in water gardening to make things happen for the novice and semi-​pro water gardeners. Their assortment of vessels with which to build fountains is amazing. Their prices are rather nice too. If you are looking for inspiration, they have examples of different types of ponds for you to consider. They also carry the thing that I love most, beautiful koi and goldfish. These are not the 10 cent each feeder fish. These are lovingly bred and raised fish that will be a grace to anyone’s water garden. They even have some bullfrog tadpoles, if you want to have some of those little guys in your pond. Really cool. I am impressed with the people working there. They are very friendly and are welcoming to talk to you about your pond and what your needs and ideas are. Hub and I need to get the current pond in hand at the new house, so we will be talking to Nelson quite a bit to make sure we have a healthy habitat for our finned friends. So glad to find Nelson Water Garden.

They have a beautiful place and really know how to grow water plants. Their staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. They have larger Koi at good prices. The only issue I have is their return policy; their fish tend to die (4 out of 6 died) and there is no guarantee on them: not even a week. I asked and I think they said 1 to 2 days (really means no guarantee). Go to Petsmart or Petco if you want to get a fish guarantee.

I visited with my family to casually research some gardening and pond constructions; we coincidentally found a ½-​off sale on herbs and vegetables, of which I bought several. This business offers large selections, their employees are very helpful and friendly, and the herbs I purchased are healthy and thriving (and obtained at a reasonable price to boot). I’d have no problem returning!

Nelson’s is the place to go for all things related to your dream water garden! Customer service is excellent! Employees are ready and willing to help! Not to mention the awesome layout and unique options to select from. It’s a little place of serenity while shopping! Love!

This is a cool place! We were in search of tall planters, and this place was suggested. They do have a great selection of pots, but mostly seemed purposed for fountains. Given the name of the place being «water gardens» that is appropriate just not for my purposes. So I did not find what I was looking for.
But during the search, there is a gift shop/​plant house indoors with all kinds of cool tchotchkes — gardening supplies, humorous signage, napkins you name it. You can walk the garden area and see all kinds of plants and fountains. There is even a spot with a coy pond and a feeder. For 25 cents, you can get a handful of fish food and amuse yourself as the fish battle for the morsels.

Knowledgeable people

I wanted to buy everything here! Unfortunately I’m not in a position to spend hundreds of dollars on water features for my yard but if I was I would have came home with so much stuff. They have everything you could possibly want! If you are considering putting any ponds, water gardens, or other water features in your yard this is the place to be.

Renovating my second pond and with Nelson’s wonderful staff, avoided the mistakes I made in the first one. Incredibly, when I got home to Houston from Nelsons discovered one critical purchase was not there. Checked my receipt, an oversight. Called them and WOW, with sincere apologies, they boxed the items up and I got them the next day. I love Nelson Water Gardens and their great staff. My ponds are healthy, fish are happy, and the plants are beautiful. If you have a pond, or want one — go! A definite worth it!!!

If you have a pond then you NEED to know about Nelson Water Gardens. When we purchased our home 8 years ago, one of the selling points was the backyard pond. Having never had a pond, I had no idea they can be so much work. Filters, pumps, Koi, plants, roots, algae, etc… it can become overwhelming! We’ve been to Nelson’s a few times for inspiration, parts, pumps, etc… They have very knowledgeable people who are always there to answer questions and give advice.
Recently, we went for some advice about our pond. Before we got to the nitty gritty, we wandered around and saw the beautiful pond displays. There are a variety of different types of water features on display as well as plants and fish for sale. After we wandered around we spoke to one of the employees and got a small pump that we thought would work for our needs. Unfortunately, the pump was a bit flimsy and we had to return it. When we went back to return it we had to deal with a rather unpleasant employee who was irritated at our return even though it had only been 6 days, we had the receipt, and the pump was like new and in its original packaging. Even with her surly attitude, I still rate Nelson’s a 4 star place. I don’t know anywhere else in the greater Houston area where you can see beautiful ponds on display, purchase equipment, and talk to people who know their stuff. I also love the variety of Koi for sale as well as bull frog tadpoles!
If you are in the area, check it out. It’s a great place to just wander through.

I owe the existence of our beautiful pond to the kind folks over at Nelson Water Gardens and Nursery. Any time we’ve needed supplies for the pond, we’ve loaded up and headed out to Nelson’s because we know they carry the absolute best pond supplies.
Each time I go there, I find something new that I try to make a place for in the back yard. The hidden fountains made with beautiful containers are in the running to take the place of our fire pit. I’m such a sucker for beautiful flowing water and all of the accessories Nelson can supply to make my back yard a glorious wonderland of waterscapes.
Oh, and when you’re there sign up for their newsletter. Each time you get it they will update you on the happenings at the store and supply you with useful information that will help you make the most of your ponds and water features.