Water garden in large pot or container

I have had a pond for many years, but we are filling it in. I would like to have a small water feature or something like that, that I can have some water plants in.
I have seen pictures of them in containers.
Does anyone have some ideas or information that would help with this project.

 

China has a big tradition of growing water lilies in large pots. Quite interesting to see rows of pots, each with a plant, in Taipei.

 

Yes, water lilies (the smaller varieties) do great in larger containers like half barrels. Marginals and other aquatics will do ok too, but the simplicity of a barrel with one water lily is hard to beat. Eighteen inches+ is a good depth and 2 or 3 feet wide (or bigger if you prefer, I once kept some water lilies for some time in a children's paddling pool). The lilies and other deep water plants can stay in the container year round as long as the container will not freeze solid down to the rhizome, which I don't think will be a problem in your location, and many of the marginals are not bothered by ice.

If mosquitoes are likely to be a problem add one small goldfish or shubunkin to each container, and never feed them (if you don't want to wait for population of natural insect predators to build up).