Looking to add a water feature to your landscape design? You have come to the right place! We have assembled the ultimate landscape guide for water features so grab yourself a coffee, sit back, and read through this comprehensive article which will make you a water feature expert in no time!
Small water features can be very appealing
Some say that size matters but there is no problem with a small water feature if you have garden, balcony, and/or backyard size restrictions. There are plenty of beautiful water features designed to sit on tabletop’s or small stands. If you choose a smaller feature, look towards adding some water lettuce or succulents to brighten up the space. If you go with a design that is minimal maintenance you can also use it as an outdoor dining table centerpiece, great for those weekend parties entertaining guests.
Concentrate on aesthetics
Smaller style water features are just as important to your overall landscape design and larger water features. Don’t think that just because it is small and in the corner that it doesn’t matter. The sound of trickling water will grab the attention of your guests so it is important that they have something visually appealing to look at when they walk over. Go for a patio-sized water feature with nice clean lines to bring about a classical or contemporary feel to your landscape.
Choose a unique container and be different!
The sky is the limit in terms of the different styles of containers that you can use to hold your water feature. If you are at your local hardware store grabbing a pump or other supplies to make your water feature functional, why not have a look around for some unusual containers that may be of use, such as a watering can or other metal/galvanized tub. The only prerequisite is to ensure the container is water tight so that there are no leaks. Big containers can add structure to a landscape design and can help to complement other garden accessories. Be unique, be different and choose a container that will be your garden centerpiece.
Water features lend themselves to virtually any kind and style of container, including oversize galvanized tubs. The containers must, of course, be watertight. Large-scale containers such as these can support large-scale plants, adding height and structure to a landscape water feature. Group a few complementary containers of various sizes for a striking water-feature focal point.
Just because something is unique doesn’t mean it won’t work with your existing landscape, unique items can integrate perfectly into a variety of different landscape designs. Try and choose an item which has a texture, colour, shape and size that suits the style of your garden.
Check out this video on how to make a whiskey barrel water feature.
Recycle or re-use old items
If you have the room for a larger sized water feature you are in luck. You will be able to pick from a wide variety of plants and/or accessories to add some flair to your design. You can recycle old bathtubs (especially those vintage style ones with the claw feet) and other retro styled items into beautiful water features. Don’t get too hung up on what the item was originally used for, as long as it has a sealed area to hold water it can be used as a water feature.
Round paved areas need a focal point
If you have a round paved area you are best to add a stand-alone water feature to the middle. A bird bath would be a perfect addition and you can even add some accessories to make it stand out. You can of course buy a new bird bath or head to your local antiques store or markets to see if there are any 2nd hand ones for sale. An old bird bath can have a great classical or ‘worn’ look and feel which may suit your garden style. The other benefit of bird baths is that they can naturally attract birds to your space.
Maintain year round appeal with a natural design
Depending on what plants you have chosen for your landscape, your garden may look great in spring, or great in summer, or winter, but rarely will a garden look vibrant all year round (particularly in the winter months). This is when a natural water feature, such as one that has a rock type design, can keep your garden’s all year round appeal. Some time owners will choose to empty their water features in winter, this isn’t too much of a concern as most will still look great empty.