Including water feature ideas in your garden and yard design will enhance your backyard sensory experience, change mood and emotion, or add life and movement to even the smallest outdoor space. Adding water landscaping elements is the type of zen your yard needs, and your home value, heart, and mind will love you for it!
A fountain or waterfall can be exciting and dramatic, while the calm, reflective surface of a lake or the slow flow of water in a stream can be meditative and relaxing. In addition, the water features offer the opportunity to introduce a wide range of aquatic and marginal plants, increasing wildlife biodiversity.
We at GrassMaster are a licensed landscaping company and can help you not only design your landscape project but assist with the installation of landscape and hardscape structures as well.
The following article will provide awesome water landscaping ideas for incorporating water features into your landscape design.
Water Landscaping – Cascade Waterfall
Water cascades are available in various widths, so you should be able to find one that exactly fits the space in your landscape. To create a dazzling appeal at night, choose a design that comes complete with a strip of LED lights that run the entire length. You can also add the lighting features of your choice afterward.
Water Landscaping – Koi Pond
Koi ponds are the best additions to any landscape for those who want a unique water feature in their garden.
If you want a koi pond for your garden, you can hire a landscaper who specializes in koi ponds. Typically, any licensed landscaper with years of landscape experience can build the proper foundation for a “fish” pond. Speak with a koi specialist to ensure you are supporting the koi in a suitable environment. But beware: Koi are playful and fascinating, but they are not low maintenance. So make sure you understand their needs before installing a koi pond.
Water Landscaping – Birdbath
Undoubtedly, the most common water source in the backyard is the noble bird bath.
You can’t go wrong with the classic water landscape detail, which has the added bonus of being good for nature. With the choice between a pedestal style, a suspended bird bath, a fountain design, or another type, you are sure to be able to find a bird bath that fits the size and design of your garden.
Birdbaths not only provide a beautiful element to your yard but they also provide opportunities to increase amazing bird life to your home.
Water Landscaping – Water Rill
Rills are shallow channels that allow water to flow smoothly from one place to another. These were key features in Islamic gardens and ran along the garden’s main axis and usually ended in a fountain or pond.
Water landscape rills can create a beautiful combination of sound and movement in one place, adding to the peaceful, meditative atmosphere of the garden.
Water Landscaping – Garden Pool
A swimming pool can be formal or more natural in design and can create a powerful focal point in a garden.
Formal pools look best when they are close to the house. This semi-formal pool in a walled garden is a great visual focal point for the garden, drawing you into the home area.
Think about the location of the water landscape pool, especially in terms of how much sun it will get and where the leaves will fall directly into it, as well as the views into and across it.
Water Landscapes – Garden Fountain
Garden fountains are dynamic water landscaping feature designs that add sonic and visual impact to a garden.
They are available in a variety of styles, ranging from a moderate drip to a more dramatic, effusive flow. A formal fountain will create a stunning focal point in your garden, patio, or driveway. A large fountain surrounded by greenery or anchored in its own reflecting pool is impressive.
You can create a similar dramatic statement by combining a fountain, some flooring, and concrete.
Water Landscaping – Water Garden Globes
Garden water globes are a common landscaping addition to gardens around the world.
Not only do they take up little space, but they also give any area a distinctive look. Larger globes offer height for huge garden beds, while smaller globes can be interesting and surprising touches buried among your flower choices.
Water Landscaping Seasonal Features
If you are unable to install a water landscaping feature underground due to space or time constraints but still want an attractive fountain, an artistic fountain might be a viable option for you.
Many fountains have varying levels of water flow, act as a magnet for birds, and provide sufficient depth for specific plants.
During the winter months, when temperatures can get below freezing for a few days or a week or two in Wake County, during freezing temps, simply cover your water feature with a heavy tarp and secure it. When temps really dip, then it would be best to empty the water from the feature, as well as clear the water lines if they are capable of freezing. For a typical weather map for Wake County, you can check out average winter temps.
The Bottom Line to Water Landscaping
Water landscaping elements can add a unique and soothing touch to your garden and landscape. There are a variety of water features you can consider, depending on your personal preference, space availability, and budget.
- Ponds: A pond can be a stunning focal point in a garden, and it can attract various wildlife, including birds and butterflies. Ponds can be naturalistic or formal, and you can add fish, water plants, and rocks to create a serene environment.
- Waterfalls: A waterfall can add a dramatic touch to your garden, and the sound of running water can create a peaceful atmosphere. Waterfalls can be standalone features or part of a pond or stream.
- Fountains: A fountain can be a beautiful addition to a small or large garden, and it can provide a soothing sound and create a focal point. Fountains come in a variety of styles, including wall-mounted, freestanding, and tabletop.
- Streams: A stream can add movement and interest to a garden, and it can connect different water features, such as ponds and waterfalls. Streams can be naturalistic or formal and can be enhanced with rocks, plants, and lighting.
- Water walls: A water wall is a vertical water feature that can be mounted on a wall or freestanding. It can add a modern and minimalist touch to your garden and create a serene and calming environment.
With so many options to consider, there is a water landscaping feature that will fit every size garden, personality, and home aesthetic.
When designing a landscaping feature, it’s important to consider the size of your space, the amount of sunlight and shade, and the type of plants and wildlife you want to attract. Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning and adding chemicals, may be necessary and essential to keep your water feature looking and functioning at its best.
At GrassMaster, we work with clients from design to installation. If there is a landscaping feature you’ve been considering for your yard and/or garden, give us a call at 919-796-1633 to discuss your design. You can also fill out our Contact Us to get started today.