Scotty's North Hills Water Gardens

Tucked away in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Scotty's North Hills Water Gardens is the kind of place pond enthusiasts drive over an hour to reach — and leave saying it was worth every mile. This isn't an aquarium shop that happens to sell a few lily pads. It's a dedicated water gardening destination, built around owner Scotty's deep expertise and genuine desire to help customers get their ponds right.

The store's display ponds are a draw in themselves — beautiful, inspiring setups that showcase what's possible with the right combination of plants, fish, and hardscaping. Inside, the selection of aquatic plants is exceptional: dwarf papyrus, water lettuce, water hyacinth, and far more, all reportedly healthy and reasonably priced. " For koi keepers, Scotty's carries a solid selection of pond fish at competitive prices, along with food, filtration systems, UV lights, pumps, and water treatments.

Fountains — including porch fountains — are well represented, and the hardscaping materials and garden art round out the inventory for anyone building or upgrading a water feature. What truly sets this shop apart is the consultation experience. Scotty personally walks customers through pond design, liner measurement, filtration setup, and plant selection with patience and honesty.

Multiple reviewers describe him guiding them away from unnecessary purchases, offering several options rather than pushing the most expensive route. First-time pond builders consistently say they came in overwhelmed and left confident. The staff mirrors Scotty's approach — friendly, knowledgeable, and unhurried.

They'll carry a spitter to your car and answer every question you can think of. For anyone in western Pennsylvania building a new pond, rehabbing a neglected one, or simply looking for quality aquatic plants and pond supplies, Scotty's has earned its near-perfect rating through years of doing right by its customers.