How To Incorporate Water Features Into Your Landscaping Design
As a garden landscaping company, we do enjoy seeing water features installed into landscaping designs. The addition of a water feature can make all the difference. Not only does it make a difference in the design aspect, but water features also incorporate another element of nature into a landscaping design. Water features are also great for making use of empty rooms as well as boosting lifeless spaces. After all, you can’t deny that the rain-like sounds of rippling water is incredibly soothing and relaxing.
In our previous article, we mentioned water features as one of our top 10 garden landscaping design ideas. In this article, we will discuss the topic of water features in further detail. Continue reading to learn more about the different types of water features and how to incorporate them into your landscaping design.
Garden Ponds
The most common water feature we tend to see these days in landscaping designs is the classic garden pond. A natural or an artificial pond of any size can take your landscaping design to the next level. They are relatively easy to install and manage. Gardeners can add colour by planting aquatic flowers such as frogbit, water lilies, lotuses or irises. Stepping stones allow gardeners to cross to the other side with ease.
Not only are ponds enjoyed by gardeners, but they can also be very much enjoyed by wildlife. A pond is a great source of water for birds, hedgehogs and foxes which attracts them to your garden. A pond with great conditions creates a suitable environment to act as the perfect home for insects, frogs and small fish such as the common goldfish and the multi-coloured koi. With a garden pond incorporated into your landscaping design, gardeners can enjoy the presence of these species living in their natural habitat.
Streams
Like a garden pond, a stream can be installed in a similar way and attract wildlife. However, it is a more extended and lengthy water feature. If you are lucky enough to have a space containing a natural stream, gardeners can embrace it, or perhaps your space is set on a sloped or an uneven surface, an artificial stream can also be installed to make use of this spot.
The stream can be framed with rocks and decorated with small stones, pebbles, shrubs and plants to give a natural appearance. A footpath or steps and outdoor solar stake lights can be laid along the stream to further complement it. With a stream in your backyard, you will have your very own channel of flowing water!
Fountains
Moving onto a more elegant water feature, a fountain can be something commonly seen in large or even award-winning landscaping designs. Fountains are a striking water feature for limited spaces without any natural ponds or streams. They come in different varieties of styles and sizes to suit most landscape designs and budgets. For instance, a whimsical statue fountain can act as both a water feature and a piece of art. It’s important to bear in mind that fountains usually require plumbing for installation and need more maintenance than a pond or stream to keep it in good working condition.
Water Blades
If you enjoy the appearance and sounds of a waterfall, a water blade may be the right water feature for you and your space. In recent years, water blades have become a popular garden feature. A stainless steel blade is mounted into a wall with a flat rectangular opening to allow pumped water through the blade and spilling into a pool, pond or water reservoir. The water is then re-pumped and the cycle starts again. The beauty of having a water blade in your landscaping design is that it creates the illusion of a cascading waterfall, making a beautiful and modern focus point. Because the water is re-pumped and recycled, this helps to reduce your water usage.
Bird Baths
If you are looking for an affordable way to incorporate water features into your garden, bird baths are a simpler version of a large fountain. We love the addition of a bird bath because they take up less space, are easy to install and are affordable. Ideal for any gardeners who enjoy bird watching as a bird bath creates a great opportunity to attract small birds to bathe in and drink from. Have your binoculars nearby as you may spot and hear some native birds such as blackbirds, starlings, sparrows or thrushes splashing around and enjoying your bird bath.
Contact Us To Install Your Water Features
If you are situated in the Abingdon, Radley or surrounding areas? Are interested in incorporating water features into your landscape or garden design? Look no further because Abingdon’s Complete Garden Service has over 30 years of experience in landscape design and garden maintenance, including the installation of different water features. If you wish to contact us for a quotation or for more information, you can do so by calling us on 01235 533193.