Wonderful Ways to Use Water in the Garden
Water provides many opportunities to transform a garden, take a look at these stunning options
There’s no doubt about it, water is an extremely versatile medium. The problem with so many different options is how do you choose a water element that suits your outdoor space? To help narrow down the selection process ask yourself, as you should with any major structure or element in the garden, what’s it for. Will it be a focal point to be seen from the outdoor living area and from inside the house? Is it to be a splashing fountain that disguises the sound of traffic? Perhaps a reflective pool to add light to a dark corner of the garden, or a naturalistic pond for goldfish and water plants? Prioritising your functional and aesthetic requirements will make it easier to decide on how water can enhance your garden. Check out these lovely examples for inspiration.
Create places for plants
For plant lovers water provides superb opportunities for introducing marginal and aquatic varieties such as the waterlilies, and papyrus in this garden. As no chemicals can be used in pools and ponds containing plants or fish, to keep the water clear and healthy it’s important to get balance right between each natural element. A mix of marginals and deepwater aquatics is usually required.
For plant lovers water provides superb opportunities for introducing marginal and aquatic varieties such as the waterlilies, and papyrus in this garden. As no chemicals can be used in pools and ponds containing plants or fish, to keep the water clear and healthy it’s important to get balance right between each natural element. A mix of marginals and deepwater aquatics is usually required.
Enhance the overall garden setting
Water elements should complement the style of the garden and, ideally, the architecture of the house, too. The traditional pond in this Melbourne country garden is surrounded by a pergola draped with wisteria creating a soft, romantic feel that is totally appropriate for its rural setting.
Water elements should complement the style of the garden and, ideally, the architecture of the house, too. The traditional pond in this Melbourne country garden is surrounded by a pergola draped with wisteria creating a soft, romantic feel that is totally appropriate for its rural setting.
Turn pools into features
Adding a cascade and a tiled weir at either end of this Melbourne swimming pool adds an extra aesthetic dimension, taking it from a purely functional element to a beautiful decorative feature that can be soothing both day and night.
Adding a cascade and a tiled weir at either end of this Melbourne swimming pool adds an extra aesthetic dimension, taking it from a purely functional element to a beautiful decorative feature that can be soothing both day and night.
Exploit different levels
Water is a great medium for taking advantage of changes of level in a garden. Here it follows the travertine marble terrace down the garden from a pool at the top level through a cascade, and then becomes part of the ground plane in the form of a pool crossed by stepping stones. Finally it terminates in a weir at the end of the lower terrace.
Water is a great medium for taking advantage of changes of level in a garden. Here it follows the travertine marble terrace down the garden from a pool at the top level through a cascade, and then becomes part of the ground plane in the form of a pool crossed by stepping stones. Finally it terminates in a weir at the end of the lower terrace.
Relax in the sounds
Whether it’s a gently bubbling fountain or a fast-flowing water chute, the sound of moving water is a very effective device in masking unwanted noise (traffic, neighbours). It can also help establish mood in a garden ranging from serenity to drama. Be wary of high waterfalls and chutes, however, as a large volume of fast-moving water can be quite deafening.
Whether it’s a gently bubbling fountain or a fast-flowing water chute, the sound of moving water is a very effective device in masking unwanted noise (traffic, neighbours). It can also help establish mood in a garden ranging from serenity to drama. Be wary of high waterfalls and chutes, however, as a large volume of fast-moving water can be quite deafening.
Use small water bowls in tight spaces
Water bowls are ideal for small areas such as in this tiny tropical garden in Perth. Water flows into the bowl set into a retained bed, and then over the sides into a reservoir beneath a bed of pebbles. It is then reticulated upwards through the wall-mounted spouts. Frangipani and palms continue the tropical theme.
Water bowls are ideal for small areas such as in this tiny tropical garden in Perth. Water flows into the bowl set into a retained bed, and then over the sides into a reservoir beneath a bed of pebbles. It is then reticulated upwards through the wall-mounted spouts. Frangipani and palms continue the tropical theme.
Add fish for visual excitement
Goldfish can animate the smallest of ponds attracting both children and adults with their flashes of bright colour. Other smaller fish, such as minnows, can be added to eat mosquito larvae. But don’t overstock your pond with fish as their excretions can turn water cloudy very quickly. Marginal and aquatic plants will help absorb excretions and are essential for providing protection for the fish from the sun and bird predators.
Goldfish can animate the smallest of ponds attracting both children and adults with their flashes of bright colour. Other smaller fish, such as minnows, can be added to eat mosquito larvae. But don’t overstock your pond with fish as their excretions can turn water cloudy very quickly. Marginal and aquatic plants will help absorb excretions and are essential for providing protection for the fish from the sun and bird predators.
Strengthen the design theme
As it has such a strong sensory appeal, water is key when establishing a strong garden style or theme. Here, the Japanese water spout leaves no question about the Asian theme of this garden. An Italianate fountain would have the same effect in a classic garden.
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What do you think of water features in the garden? Have you installed one in your backyard?
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As it has such a strong sensory appeal, water is key when establishing a strong garden style or theme. Here, the Japanese water spout leaves no question about the Asian theme of this garden. An Italianate fountain would have the same effect in a classic garden.
TELL US
What do you think of water features in the garden? Have you installed one in your backyard?
MORE
How to Maximise the Visual Impact of Your Water Feature
9 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Garden
Waterwise Planting Tips for Year-Round Greenery
Water can add drama to a front garden, creating a striking gateway to the house as shown in this Perth garden. Ponds on either side of the front terrace are fed by a beautiful water bowl and surrounded by a rich mix of native and exotic plants that includes orange flowering kangaroo paw. In summer, waterlilies add more flower colour to the delightful composition.