Cisterns, dipping wells, fountains and ponds—water features add a special dimension to any garden or landscape. Designing and installing a water feature to suit the style of your property is easier than ever given the wide variety of authentic vintage, precise replicas or contemporary water features to choose from. Depending on your maintenance level, there is an ideal method to showcase water in your garden and landscape with water-loving plants.
There are so many ways to make your garden a one-of-a-kind, but nothing brings serenity and life to a garden like the element of water indeed, there could be no paradise for your plants without it. Adding a water feature requires some assessment of the space by the gardener—where is the feature to go, what is it to be and how much time can be given to it once it’s in place? While there are many different kinds of water features there are hundreds of designs for each type. The following article discusses several options—everything from birdbaths to artificial lakes.
Let’s start out on a grand scale—a large pond or lake on your property can add majesty and distinction to any property whether formalized or left to appear natural—appear natural is precisely meant because even rustic ponds must be cared for to ensure the health of the pond and the plant life surrounding it. A large body of water can be hypnotic in any season when an abundance of wildlife and foliage surround the water’s edge and even in the dead of winter when bare trees stand reflected in the smooth surface of the silvery water. Poetical, perhaps, but water lends itself to reflection and your garden’s visitors stand to be profusely complimentary toward such a feature.
Keep in mind that a large-scale water feature will require large-scale maintenance, more so if your pond is a
wildlife pond. The water must be regularly checked for optimum health and plant growth must remain in check—a difficult prospect given the invasive nature of most water plants. To combat excess plant growth, consider containing some of the more aggressive species, or try to limit your water plants to one or two varieties such as lotuses or waterlilies.
Smaller ponds and pools will diminish your maintenance time and will also suit a smaller landscape. Again, such features may be adapted to formal settings such as an elegant courtyard garden or left relatively rustic for small cottage gardens. Paving around your pond is an excellent way to place decorative controls on the plant life surrounding your pond. If grass surrounds your pond or pool, consider first rimming your rustic pond with river rocks.
Since flowing water remains far healthier than stagnant water, adding a jet or a more decorative fountain to your pond or pool is another way to make water a visible feature in your garden. Even a stand-alone fountain in a small basin to collect the water’s trickle is a lovely feature. Fountains may be stand-alone or mounted to walls. There is a
fountain to suit every style consider mermaids, classical mythological figures, birdbath styles, Victorian or Oriental styles, etc…and choice of materials will be a major component of the design—stone, ceramic or even fiberglass, there is a vast array to choose from.
Certainly a cascade or waterfall will keep things moving in your landscape. Installing these either on a grand or smaller scale will likely turn into the focal point of your garden. If your land has slopes, you have an ideal situation to incorporate a terraced garden fit with stone retaining walls and a rippling waterfall bordered with large rocks to top things off.
Speaking of
birdbaths, these are also simple features that require very little maintenance, but situated in an appropriate spot can add great charm to your garden. From tabletop designs to basins atop pedestals, these features are readily available at local garden centers or online stores. Even a primitive rock with a dip for water collection makes a simple basin that can double as a birdbath. This style is perfect for Oriental gardens.
When it comes to other kinds of basins, gardeners might consider cisterns (popular in the 17th and 18th centuries for collection of rainwater), dipping wells (perfect for herbal and kitchen gardens) or chalice wells (medieval water stores fitted wit wooden doors). Any of these features will add old-world style to your landscape and even prove useful to the gardener apart from their decorative functions.
Once you’ve installed your water feature be it a pond, creek, moat, fountain, etc…chances are you will need to landscape around it to completely adapt it with its surroundings. Many gardeners choose to pave with a decorative design such as mosaics to rim their feature. Another great rimming choice might be to place tile work or even decking around your water element. You may also want to incorporate some style of bridge and seating around your water to accommodate garden strollers who wish to stop to admire the view.
However you choose to add water to your garden, you are likely to find that it enhances your garden and landscape in ways you never dreamed of. Once you fall in love with your water feature, you may even consider adding several more to your space and create a true water garden to the delight of your family and friends.
