Written by Adam Latham
Water is essential for the physical health of people and plants, but it can also bring life to you and your garden in other ways. Who isn’t drawn to the sound of moving water? What child won’t reach their hand into a flowing fountain? Bringing water into the garden can be quite simple or very complex — your design preference and budget will determine the form it takes. If you are fortunate enough to have a natural water body in your garden or a view of a pond, river, or the ocean, you’re already one step ahead.
Reflective Basins and Bird Baths
The simplest water features are reflective bowls, shallow pools, and birdbaths. Because of their relatively small size, they should be placed in a location next to a path, bench, or window to allow for easy access for viewing and maintaining. Gazing at the mirror-like reflections of clouds, sky, or plants in these structures is very soothing. For the best reflective qualities choose a dark-bottomed vessel.
Almost any watertight vessel will do. The most common materials include stone, glazed ceramic, fiberglass, copper, and concrete. Naturally occurring bowl-shaped stones are perfect for an informal garden setting. The water in the bowls should be changed every few days to provide fresh water for birds and to keep it free of mosquito larvae. Clean the basin every few weeks, or as needed, with a small amount of bleach, lemon juice, or vinegar mixed with water to remove algae and kill bacteria harmful to wildlife.
Fountains, Streams, and Waterfalls
From gracefully flowing forms to geyser-like displays, cascading water enchants sight, sound, and touch. Simple, small, manufactured fountains are readily available at local garden shops and are easy to set up. There are also small, wall-mounted fountains that are perfect for tiny spaces or to add interest to a bare exterior wall. Because fountains contain no fish or plants, these features are easy to care for throughout the season. Changing the water in the fountain weekly will reduce the occurrence of algae discoloring the water. Monitor the water level in the fountain at least weekly and keep the reservoir full, as too little water in the reservoir will damage the pump. Prepping for winter involves draining the water, removing the pump, and placing it indoors. You may also wrap the fountain with a weatherproof cover.
Creating an effective display with a waterfall and stream is a bit more difficult. For the best naturalistic setting, streams and waterfalls should be designed to fit into naturally occurring sloping land. It is very difficult to create a natural looking waterfall on flat ground. No landscape looks more contrived than a waterfall constructed on a lump of earth that is out of scale and context with its surroundings. If your garden is on a nearly level lot, the best water feature is probably a fountain or pond.
Water Gardens/Ponds
Man-made, small scale, ornamental ponds are increasing in popularity. These features offer the opportunity to bring the widest variety of plants, fish, and other wildlife into the garden. Incorporating moving water into a water garden using a fountain or waterfall is essential for adding oxygen to water for healthy aquatic life. Years ago these ponds were constructed of concrete and were usually geometric in shape. Today, flexible liners permit nearly endless possibilities for the form a pond can take.
Still, don’t dismiss the use of a geometrically shaped pond; it might be the most appropriate design for your setting. Of all the ways to bring water into the landscape, these ponds require the most intensive construction and maintenance. Although you can install these features yourself, for the best detailing and proper function of the mechanical system, I recommend an experienced installation company. And if you don’t have the time to perform the required maintenance but really desire a pond in your garden, hire the same landscape contractor or water garden specialist to do the work for you.
You need not dig a hole in the ground to have a water garden. If taking on the care of a backyard pond seems a bit daunting, try a miniature version. Tubs of various sizes and materials are perfect for placing on your patio, deck, or into your perennial garden. Beware, however: because these smaller tubs lack a filtration system or a well-balanced natural system, they require close monitoring to maintain clean water. In comparison to a large pond, you’ll save time on the maintenance, but not the frequency of performing it.
If you are fortunate enough to have a small, natural pond on your land, you’ve eliminated the time and expense of constructing one. You can concentrate on embellishing it with plants that will form a backdrop to the water surface. These plants will be reflected on the water surface in the spring, summer, and fall and in the winter can provide color and a resting spot for new-fallen snow. On larger ponds, structures can be added to bring people closer to the water. Gazebos, boardwalks, small bridges, and docks make great additions within the scene.
The Borrowed Landscape
If you don’t own a sweeping expanse of waterfront property, but live near a body of water, you may be able to capture a portion of your neighbor’s vista. Through selective thinning of plant material on the ground, or raising the tree canopy, you can open and frame scenic vignettes. If you’re faced with an objectionable view between you and the water, properly placing the appropriate plant material can screen out utility poles, outbuildings, unregistered cars, or your neighbor’s boat that has spent years in dry dock.
Many people, even experienced gardeners, are timid about bringing water into the garden. It’s not quite as complicated as it may seem. Adding the sound of moving water, light reflection, and wildlife at any scale offer many benefits to the garden and gardener. For inspiration, I recommend reading “Gardening with Water,” by James van Sweden, which showcases ways to bring water into the garden at varying scales and different settings, as well as the dramatic use of plants in and around water.
Water is essential for the physical health of people and plants, but it can also bring life to you and your garden in other ways. Who isn’t drawn to the sound of moving water? What child won’t reach their hand into a flowing fountain? Bringing water into the garden can be quite simple or very complex — your design preference and budget will determine the form it takes. If you are fortunate enough to have a natural water body in your garden or a view of a pond, river, or the ocean, you’re already one step ahead.
Reflective Basins and Bird Baths
The simplest water features are reflective bowls, shallow pools, and birdbaths. Because of their relatively small size, they should be placed in a location next to a path, bench, or window to allow for easy access for viewing and maintaining. Gazing at the mirror-like reflections of clouds, sky, or plants in these structures is very soothing. For the best reflective qualities choose a dark-bottomed vessel.
Almost any watertight vessel will do. The most common materials include stone, glazed ceramic, fiberglass, copper, and concrete. Naturally occurring bowl-shaped stones are perfect for an informal garden setting. The water in the bowls should be changed every few days to provide fresh water for birds and to keep it free of mosquito larvae. Clean the basin every few weeks, or as needed, with a small amount of bleach, lemon juice, or vinegar mixed with water to remove algae and kill bacteria harmful to wildlife.
Fountains, Streams, and Waterfalls
From gracefully flowing forms to geyser-like displays, cascading water enchants sight, sound, and touch. Simple, small, manufactured fountains are readily available at local garden shops and are easy to set up. There are also small, wall-mounted fountains that are perfect for tiny spaces or to add interest to a bare exterior wall. Because fountains contain no fish or plants, these features are easy to care for throughout the season. Changing the water in the fountain weekly will reduce the occurrence of algae discoloring the water. Monitor the water level in the fountain at least weekly and keep the reservoir full, as too little water in the reservoir will damage the pump. Prepping for winter involves draining the water, removing the pump, and placing it indoors. You may also wrap the fountain with a weatherproof cover.
Creating an effective display with a waterfall and stream is a bit more difficult. For the best naturalistic setting, streams and waterfalls should be designed to fit into naturally occurring sloping land. It is very difficult to create a natural looking waterfall on flat ground. No landscape looks more contrived than a waterfall constructed on a lump of earth that is out of scale and context with its surroundings. If your garden is on a nearly level lot, the best water feature is probably a fountain or pond.
Water Gardens/Ponds
Man-made, small scale, ornamental ponds are increasing in popularity. These features offer the opportunity to bring the widest variety of plants, fish, and other wildlife into the garden. Incorporating moving water into a water garden using a fountain or waterfall is essential for adding oxygen to water for healthy aquatic life. Years ago these ponds were constructed of concrete and were usually geometric in shape. Today, flexible liners permit nearly endless possibilities for the form a pond can take.
Still, don’t dismiss the use of a geometrically shaped pond; it might be the most appropriate design for your setting. Of all the ways to bring water into the landscape, these ponds require the most intensive construction and maintenance. Although you can install these features yourself, for the best detailing and proper function of the mechanical system, I recommend an experienced installation company. And if you don’t have the time to perform the required maintenance but really desire a pond in your garden, hire the same landscape contractor or water garden specialist to do the work for you.
You need not dig a hole in the ground to have a water garden. If taking on the care of a backyard pond seems a bit daunting, try a miniature version. Tubs of various sizes and materials are perfect for placing on your patio, deck, or into your perennial garden. Beware, however: because these smaller tubs lack a filtration system or a well-balanced natural system, they require close monitoring to maintain clean water. In comparison to a large pond, you’ll save time on the maintenance, but not the frequency of performing it.
If you are fortunate enough to have a small, natural pond on your land, you’ve eliminated the time and expense of constructing one. You can concentrate on embellishing it with plants that will form a backdrop to the water surface. These plants will be reflected on the water surface in the spring, summer, and fall and in the winter can provide color and a resting spot for new-fallen snow. On larger ponds, structures can be added to bring people closer to the water. Gazebos, boardwalks, small bridges, and docks make great additions within the scene.
The Borrowed Landscape
If you don’t own a sweeping expanse of waterfront property, but live near a body of water, you may be able to capture a portion of your neighbor’s vista. Through selective thinning of plant material on the ground, or raising the tree canopy, you can open and frame scenic vignettes. If you’re faced with an objectionable view between you and the water, properly placing the appropriate plant material can screen out utility poles, outbuildings, unregistered cars, or your neighbor’s boat that has spent years in dry dock.
Many people, even experienced gardeners, are timid about bringing water into the garden. It’s not quite as complicated as it may seem. Adding the sound of moving water, light reflection, and wildlife at any scale offer many benefits to the garden and gardener. For inspiration, I recommend reading “Gardening with Water,” by James van Sweden, which showcases ways to bring water into the garden at varying scales and different settings, as well as the dramatic use of plants in and around water.