IDEAS FOR GARDEN WATER FEATURES

The style, size, surroundings and purpose of a garden determine the type of water feature suitable. Water features are known for their calming effects, as well as creating eye-catching focal points in a garden. Garden features using water as part of their design come in many forms - both natural and man-made. Here are some examples and ideas for inspiration.

Ponds

Ponds are a significant, dominating and central water feature in any garden. To a homeowner, a pond can mean a number of things. All ponds are ornamental to one extent or another, but they also help sustain wildlife like birds, pollinating insects and other creatures which need water to survive. And of course, they can be used to house fish of various types.

Rills

Formal water channels are commonly know as rills. Gardens of all shapes, sizes and styles can benefit a rill.

Rills should typcially be placed and channeled in a garden where it can have maximum impact. They can be used to connect or divide areas of a garden.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are a particularly eye-catching and relaxing form of water feature which introduce a whole new ambience to a garden.

Waterfalls can be created in an infinite range of shapes and sizes to create stunning focal points.  

Fountains

Fountains can be small and subtle or much larger and imposing.

The ideal fountain will compliment and enhance the style of a garden, and can be the perfect way to create a focal point which demands limited regular low time and maintenance commitments.

Streams

Some homeowners are fortunate enough to have natural streams running through their garden. Even a grim looking ditch with a natural water flow can be transformed into a stream-like feature. Man-made, manufactured water features can be wonderful, but nothing beats a beautified natural source of water.

The reality for most homeowners is there being no natural stream to utilise - meaning an artificial but convincing stream must be created. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though because  it means you have complete control over the flow of water, regardless of weather conditions.

The obvious drawback though is the fact that it must start and end at specific points. The water supply and flow of an artificial stream will be recirculating, but it would be configured and presented to appear to have a natural purpose. A combination of careful flow design and strategic planting can achieve this objective and integrate the stream seamlessly into the landscape of the garden.