Along Caesar Road just outside of Picayune is a business offering everything a landowner would need to establish a serene waterfall or pond in their back yard.
Aquatic Art and Supply’s owner, Ted Flaskas, also designs and installs manmade waterfalls, rivers or ponds on a customer’s land.
Aquatic Art and Supply hosts examples of Flaskas’ work, including two ponds, a waterfall and a stream recreation.
Flaskas and his late wife purchased the business from the previous owner just before Hurricane Katrina.
His first order of business was to clear the existing pond next to Caesar Road and spruce it up with new landscaping and a waterfall facing the road. In the waterfall’s pond are 20-year-old Koi. Flaskas said it took about 18 months to get the main pond to its current state.
During his time in Pearl River County he estimates he’s built about 100 streams, ponds and waterfalls for homeowners in this and surrounding areas, but he’s being building the features since the 70s.
Many of the water plants he uses in his creations are grown on-site. But he said he has access to any plant a homeowner would want if it’s not in stock.
Water lilies create beautiful flowers, and he has several varieties on hand, contributing to the 50 or more water plants he has in stock.
Many of the rocks used in the creation of his water features come from Colorado, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Tennessee.
Visitors and residents of the Woods Subdivision pass by examples of his work every day. Flaskas said he built the landscaping at the entrance and did the work on the pond near the entrance of the residential area.
It may take Flaskas about 40 hours to build a smaller feature, and larger features may entail 100 to 200 hours of work.
The business also offers landscaping supplies and Flaskas said he is willing to share his extensive knowledge with those looking for help. Homeowners with smaller budgets can have a relaxing water feature on their property as well, but Flaskas suggests building it in phases, as money is available.
Once a feature is constructed, it may take between three to five years for the plant life and pond to naturalize.
Flakas also offers garden soil, crushed aggregate and natural mulch at his business.
“I’m very impressed with all the work he’s done for me so far,” said returning customer Mike McMahon.
Aquatic Art and Supply is located at 119 Caesar Road and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or potential customers can call first at 601-590-3165.