Where possible, when topping up the water, try to use collected rainwater or tap water that has stood for a few days to allow some of the chemicals to evaporate. Select one that is in keeping with the style of your house and garden. Stone bowls, metal dishes, weathered steel dishes, recycled containers and all manner of objects can be turned into water features. 'Small bodies of water heat up quickly, so if you don’t want to spend time constantly cleaning the water, it is essential to consider where it is positioned in terms of sunlight,' says Helen Elks-Smith.Īdd aquatic plants to help to keep the water naturally clean and also encourage wildlife. Any shallow container will work, but choose one that can be cleaned easily as they can become green with algae. One of the simplest ways to introduce water to your outdoor living room ideas is with a water bowl or dish. Introduce water to a small space with a water bowl 'It's best to try to avoid positioning your fountain under trees or tall shrubs as fallen leaves, branches and garden debris can cause algae build-up, harm to fish or clog the pump,' Nicola adds. 'Self-contained fountains need to be sited on a level footing, such as a patio, avoiding grass or undulating ground and work well in courtyard gardens, ' explains Nicola Clements of Haddonstone. Pumps can be noisy and filtration units can be large depending on the size of the water feature, so location needs to be considered carefully,' explains Rosemary Coldstream.įountains work well in ponds, but as a general guide the pond should be at least twice as wide as the height of the water jet to avoid water waste or surrounding surfaces getting wet.Īlternatively, self-contained fountains require little or no excavation work and more often than not do not need to be installed by a specialist. 'You will need a power supply if you have a pump and are creating a flow of water. The calculations for pumps and filtration on larger or more detailed garden fountains may require the involvement of a water engineer. 'The sound of water contributes greatly to the atmosphere it creates,' explains Helen Elks-Smith. They come in a wide range of possibilities, from a gentle trickle of water to a more dramatic, gushing flow. Garden fountains are dynamic water feature ideas that bring both sound and the visual impact of moving water to a garden. Add sound and movement with a garden fountain Take advice from someone who understands the natural processes of water management,' says Peter. Pools are living biomes where various factors must be managed to prevent problems such as blanket weed algae creating problems. 'It is important to bear in mind the practicalities of keeping a pool healthy and attractive. 'Consider the position of the pool carefully, particularly in relation to how much sun it might receive, or where leaves might drop directly into it, as well as the views to and across it,' Peter adds.Ĭonsider also whether it can be placed so that it delivers lovely reflections of surrounding planting or the sky on its surface. 'This semi-formal pool in a walled garden is a lovely visual focal point for the garden, enticing you out into the space from the house,' explains Peter Reader. Punctuate hard landscaping with garden poolsĪ pool can create a strong focal point in a garden and can be formal or more natural in design.įormal pools often look better positioned close to a house. The principle of water, hardscape and planting is a winning combination, so trimming the design back to a single rill can be just as effective,' explains Peter. 'Consider carefully where to site a rill to get the best from it. Rills can be constructed many different materials, and can work in both courtyard or larger gardens, one of many sensory garden ideas that can fill an outdoor space with sound and movement. The naturalistic, aromatic planting style enhances the sensory, restful space.' 'In this design for the Four Seasons show garden, the rill was constructed using honey colored Cotswold stone, which is a perfect foil for both the water and the plants. 'Rills can deliver a wonderful combination of sound and movement to a space, which in turn enhances the contemplative and restful atmosphere of the garden,' explains garden designer and landscaper Peter Reader. In Islamic gardens, rills were central features running along the main axis of the garden, often culminating in a fountain or pond. Rills are shallow channels along which water flows gently from one area to another.
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