 | Just because you’ve invested large amounts of time and expense into your water garden does not mean you have a completed task. No, no! Besides your commitment of time to care for it, you now have to enhance your garden with novel features and props that make a pretty water garden spectacular. For a breathtaking water garden, try to incorporate any, or all, of the following features into your landscape.
When one pond just isn’t enough, you can install a variety of small water features in your garden. Consider shallow rock pools or large birdbaths that draw your avian friends away from the aquatic life of the big pond. These smaller water elements may allow you to incorporate certain ferns or plant species that may not work well with the plants of the larger water feature. Even contained water features like tub pools and tub fountains can become easy-to-maintain focal points.
Speaking of fountains, you can install them in nearly any water feature. They are certainly lovely in ponds of any size. Most decorative water gardens showcase them and they come in many designs from mermaid and fish sprouting designs to simple fountain jets. Today, you can install fountains that do everything from dribble to spray, to produce multileveled spray, to spray symmetrical curtains of water and so much more depending on the jet and design of the fountain. You can showcase a gushing geyser or a charming statue where water trickles from a vessel.
Another take on fountain design is the wall fountain which now come in a variety of materials like stone, terracotta, plastic and more. Best installed by professionals, simple wall fountains are generally accompanied by three elements: an overflow, dustbin and pump—not to mention the mask or gargoyle from whence the water flows. Of course, you can take the easy way out of this complex installation and purchase a preformed wall fountain that is self-contained. Some of these simply need to be mounted, filled with water and plugged in.
And how better to illuminate your newly installed fountain or pool than with lighting. A simple lighting device is an underwater spotlight to showcase your fountain’s spray. These are usually available with colored lenses so you can choose the color of your lighting. There are also more elaborate color changers that rotate the lighting colors automatically. Be sure to remember that water and electricity are not the greatest of friends so you must purchase specially designed underwater and outdoor lighting systems.
Nevertheless, use lighting features anywhere you want to direct attention. Spotlights make dramatic statements of light, but even lighting that is subtle can greatly enhance your garden. Some lights float right in the water that is the perfect evening accompaniment for your pond. A well-lit pond makes a beautiful centerpiece for evening parties that make use of the garden.
Some ponds have interesting backdrops comprised of stone terraces where colorful flowers peek or trail over the sides. Such structures might also sport simple waterfalls that spill into your pond. This keeps the water moving, but there are other options to employ in order to keep the pond from becoming stagnant. Fountains will do the trick but even underground jets can create a small current and keep the flow of the water steady.
Allowing your garden’s visitors a seat to admire all your hard work is also a way to enhance the landscape. Leave the ratty five-dollar plastic lawn chairs in the garage and spring for something that blends with your landscape. Consider stone benches placed strategically in spots with excellent views of your garden or pond. Large natural stones with a smooth area for seating are simple enough to select and place in your garden; consider these for an Oriental garden. A rustic option might be to construct Adirondack chairs made from barn wood. Hammocks and swings are also enjoyable seating options where you or your guests might enjoy the view.
Getting back to the pond itself, it may prove interesting to lay a plank or log to span the length or width of the water. And along this line, you might as well plan for a bridge or causeway. Again, these can range from simple board bridges to highly ornate stone bridges covered with natural moss. Decks that range near and around ponds are also wonderful places to enjoy the view and arrange containers of plants best suited to pots (especially for some of the most invasive water plants).
As a way to further ornament your water garden, you are limited only by your ingenuity. Incorporating garden props into the landscape ranges from elaborately formal to simple country, from gothic to Zen—anything goes. For example, an old rowboat need not be sea-worthy; prop it along your pond or stream and use it as an oversize planter for flowers or ornamental grass. In fact, you can make planter from almost anything—Victorian chimney pots or even vintage bathtubs filled with pansies.
There is also a wide variety of lawn ornaments that might work well in a watery setting. If plastic pink flamingoes and white herons aren’t up your alley, there are many artisan metal-crafted animals that can be situated anywhere in the garden. Hang some glass dragonflies or butterflies from tree limbs suspended over the water to catch the natural light.
Finally, Mother Nature may enhance your garden all on her own by encouraging certain types of wildlife to take up residence in your landscape. Amphibians like frogs and toads usually find their way into such places. However, you may certainly encourage specific animals to visit your backyard and make it their home. Many gardeners enjoy birds, but you could certainly establish fish in your water features too. Wildlife ponds require upkeep, but they are certainly worth the effort.
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