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Mad River Twp, Ohio — David Busch has wanted a water feature in his yard "for years." His art-teacher wife, Cathy, loves Monet. On Sunday, June 22, they found the perfect way to combine the two when they attended the Ohio Water Lily Festival.

The Ravenna, Ohio couple joined dozens of others who strolled along rows of flowers, fish and ornamental displays at Green Vista Water Gardens, the host of the ninth annual festival.

Backyard water features "have really boomed in the last 10 years," said Steve Blessing, owner of Green Vista at 4034 Dayton-Springfield Road.

The booming trend was in full bloom Sunday in ponds and waterfalls spread over Green Vista's property. Water lilies in various shades of white, pink and blue created Monet-like inspiration among attendees.

While the Busch's were walking along the greenhouses, photographing ideas for their first lily pond, Pam and Morgan Moore of Beavercreek were admiring different water grasses on display near Green Vista's entrance.

The couple already has two fountains in their yard, but now "We're thinking of putting a small pond in," Pam Moore said.

May's cooler-than-normal weather delayed some of the blooms this year, Blessing said, but with summer under way, he expects both blooms and sales to be at their peak.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.