Water gardens are becoming an increasingly popular way to add beauty and relaxation to your home. If you’re thinking of adding one to your property, there are a few things you need to know before you get started.
In this guide, we will walk you through designing and installing a water garden that will be perfect for your home.
We’ll cover everything from selecting the right location to choosing the right plants and accessories.
So if you’re ready to create a little piece of paradise in your own garden, read on!
Why Add A Water Garden?
There are many reasons why adding a water garden to your property can be a great idea. Let’s take a look at them.
An Outdoor Haven: If you have a busy job or live in an urban area, the chances are you long for some peace and quiet. Water gardens promote tranquillity, and people love them because the sound of water automatically relaxes them.
Entertain: What’s better than spending time with family and friends in your outdoor paradise? A relaxing water garden will make your home a popular space to entertain your loved ones.
Attract Wildlife: Nothing makes the outdoors come to life like nature. A water garden will attract wildlife, including birds, frogs, butterflies, and other animals.
The Best Water Feature Ideas
When it comes to creating a water garden, the sky’s the limit – and there are so many things you can do. Whether you want to keep it simple or go all out with an awe-inspiring display, you can put your stamp on the garden.
Simple Ponds
Definitely the most popular garden water feature, ponds are simple to install and create an immediate impression. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at some of these ideas:
- A rectangular-shaped pond with stone edging is a classic look that will never go out of style.
- A curved pond with rock features and a waterfall adds interest and movement.
- Consider installing a circular pond with a fountain in the centre for something unique.
Animal lovers can give fish a wonderful home, incorporating lily pads for any frogs that might visit too. Ponds are so relaxing – but remember to use guards or safety covers if you have pets.
Waterfalls
Adding a waterfall or two to your garden is one of the best ways to make it stand out. They look great, and they also provide soothing background noise and can attract wildlife. When choosing a waterfall, be sure to consider the following:
- The height of the falls – you don’t want them to be too tall or too short.
- The type of waterfall – whether you want a traditional cascade, a series of small falls, or something more elaborate.
- The falls’ width should be wide enough to create an impact but not so wide that they take up too much space.
- Material choices – you can use rocks, concrete, metal or even plastic to create your waterfall.
Fountains
A fountain is another great way to add interest and movement to your garden water feature. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be made from a range of materials. Some popular ideas include:
- A simple sphere or cone fountain with a cascading effect is perfect for smaller gardens.
- If you have a little more space, consider a tiered fountain with multiple levels.
- A rustic garden pond with a traditional stone fountain in the centre is perfect for those who want an antique look.
- For something unique, try a modern metal sculpture fountain.
Pools
A pool can be the ultimate luxury for your water garden. Swimming pools come in all shapes and sizes and can be made from various materials, including concrete, fibreglass and vinyl. When designing your pool, be sure to consider:
- Shape – rectangular, kidney-shaped or freeform?
- Size – how big do you want it to be?
- Depth – will it be a shallow wading pool or a deep swimming pool?
- Lining – do you want it to be concrete, fibreglass or vinyl?
- Coping – what type of material will you use for the pool’s edge?
- Decking – wood, stone or concrete?
Planning Your Water Garden
If you want to implement a water garden into your outdoor space, you should think about the size of your garden, your budget and the type of feature you’d like. The planning process might seem tedious, but it’s essential.
Here’s how to make it easier.
Selecting The Location
The first step in designing your water garden is selecting the correct location. You’ll want to choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and has good drainage, and the area is large enough to accommodate the size of pond/feature you want.
Deciding Your Budget
How much you’re willing to spend on your water garden is an essential factor to consider. You don’t have to break the bank, but remember that there are many things you need to buy to create a beautiful and functional space, including plants, pond liner, pump and filter.
Choosing The Feature
The next step is deciding what type of feature you want in your garden. Do you want a pond? A waterfall? Fountains? These options are possible with a water garden, so it’s crucial to think about how you want to use the space.
Designing Your Garden
Now that you’ve selected the right location, determined your budget and chosen your feature, it’s time to start designing. If you have a simple water feature, you might be able to tackle the job yourself.
However, if your garden combines water and plants, you might want to contact our floral garden design UK team. We’re skilled in combining numerous features to create a stunning, streamlined outdoor space that will increase the value of your home.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this post gives you some excellent ideas about turning your outdoor space into a stunning water garden. It doesn’t matter how small or big your area is; everyone can benefit from bringing some tranquillity to their garden.
If you enjoyed reading this post, please check out our other helpful guides, including ten questions you should ask your garden designer here.