Ask a Garden Designer: How Can I Bring Water into my Garden?
There are numerous ways to weave the magical gleam and unrivalled tranquillity of water into your garden design. Here’s how
There’s little lovelier than listening to the gentle flow of water and seeing all the wildlife it attracts. Water has reflective qualities, instils a calming atmosphere and, like a fireplace, draws you towards it to sit and while away the hours.
Why not bring some of that magic home? It’s surprisingly easy to incorporate water into your garden scheme. Whether you fancy a wildlife pond or babbling brook, or just want a simple water feature lit to gorgeous effect, be inspired by these glittering designs.
Why not bring some of that magic home? It’s surprisingly easy to incorporate water into your garden scheme. Whether you fancy a wildlife pond or babbling brook, or just want a simple water feature lit to gorgeous effect, be inspired by these glittering designs.
Create a haven for wildlife
Natural-style ponds attract all manner of wildlife, from water creatures to airborne insects, birds and mammals. They are a constant source of enjoyment, providing hours of interest right through the year. Here, a rustic pontoon enables the owners to wander out or sit at the water’s edge. The areas around the pond are planted with wildflowers, including a large number of ox-eye daisies, which add to the atmosphere and are wonderful for butterflies and bees.
Check out these easy ways to create a wildlife haven
Natural-style ponds attract all manner of wildlife, from water creatures to airborne insects, birds and mammals. They are a constant source of enjoyment, providing hours of interest right through the year. Here, a rustic pontoon enables the owners to wander out or sit at the water’s edge. The areas around the pond are planted with wildflowers, including a large number of ox-eye daisies, which add to the atmosphere and are wonderful for butterflies and bees.
Check out these easy ways to create a wildlife haven
Bridge a stream
Here, a natural-looking stream has been built with a gentle cascade and a small stone bridge spanning it. A bridge makes the rest of the garden more accessible and creates a pleasing view downstream.
Here, a natural-looking stream has been built with a gentle cascade and a small stone bridge spanning it. A bridge makes the rest of the garden more accessible and creates a pleasing view downstream.
Build a contemporary water feature
A sculptural piece like this adds drama as well as the sound of running water. Even in a small space or on a roof terrace, you can add lighting to bring the feature alive and create a wonderful atmosphere. Here, the light also helps to highlight the vertical uprights of the bamboo planted alongside.
Be inspired by these fabulous water features
A sculptural piece like this adds drama as well as the sound of running water. Even in a small space or on a roof terrace, you can add lighting to bring the feature alive and create a wonderful atmosphere. Here, the light also helps to highlight the vertical uprights of the bamboo planted alongside.
Be inspired by these fabulous water features
Engineer reflections
Positioning a pond so it picks up reflections of your house or garden adds interest and gives a different perspective to still water. This pond in Surrey reflects the roof of the house and surrounding trees, which looks so lovely. Being able to gaze at your home mirrored in the water creates a sense tranquillity.
Positioning a pond so it picks up reflections of your house or garden adds interest and gives a different perspective to still water. This pond in Surrey reflects the roof of the house and surrounding trees, which looks so lovely. Being able to gaze at your home mirrored in the water creates a sense tranquillity.
Build a raised pond
If you want to give a pond a more formal look, why not build a raised one, like this design made of Cotswold dry stone? The area behind the pond has a lavender hedge, which attracts bees, while agapanthus, olives and thyme on the sides add to the Mediterranean feel. Lilies aren’t keen on water splashing their leaves, so make sure the waterfall pressure isn’t too strong and can be adjusted.
If you want to give a pond a more formal look, why not build a raised one, like this design made of Cotswold dry stone? The area behind the pond has a lavender hedge, which attracts bees, while agapanthus, olives and thyme on the sides add to the Mediterranean feel. Lilies aren’t keen on water splashing their leaves, so make sure the waterfall pressure isn’t too strong and can be adjusted.
Try an unplanted pond in a courtyard
You can create lovely still, reflective formal ponds with no plants in them, like this long, wide rill, nicely planted along the edges with sage and stachys, as well as echinacea and grasses for movement and drama. A pond like this will still attract wildlife, including insects and birds, which will bathe in them and swoop down to drink.
You can create lovely still, reflective formal ponds with no plants in them, like this long, wide rill, nicely planted along the edges with sage and stachys, as well as echinacea and grasses for movement and drama. A pond like this will still attract wildlife, including insects and birds, which will bathe in them and swoop down to drink.
Bring water up close
Thanks to the bifold doors, this outdoor pond can instantly become part of the interior, making it a great feature all year round. If you have fish, you could literally watch them under your feet and feed them from your hands. This isn’t an option for anyone with young children, but is perfect for adults wanting to enjoy the magic of water up close.
Thanks to the bifold doors, this outdoor pond can instantly become part of the interior, making it a great feature all year round. If you have fish, you could literally watch them under your feet and feed them from your hands. This isn’t an option for anyone with young children, but is perfect for adults wanting to enjoy the magic of water up close.
Attract wildlife to your house
Water adds such a wonderful dimension to any home, especially a wildlife pond. This natural design is very close to the house, and especially to the extension, which has full-length glass panels. What better way to watch the wildlife and movement in the water and its surroundings? A mass of ox-eye daisies surrounds the pond to attract bees and butterflies.
Water adds such a wonderful dimension to any home, especially a wildlife pond. This natural design is very close to the house, and especially to the extension, which has full-length glass panels. What better way to watch the wildlife and movement in the water and its surroundings? A mass of ox-eye daisies surrounds the pond to attract bees and butterflies.
Use a pot to create movement
By using a large pot, you can create drama and add height to a sunken pond. Here, the pot flows into a rill, which carries the water to a square, sunken pond. In a small area, you could simply have a pot bubbling water over stones. If you have more space, as here, create a larger water feature by digging out a formal sunken pond for fish and plants.
Do you have a water feature or pond in your garden? Share your tips and photos in the comments below.
By using a large pot, you can create drama and add height to a sunken pond. Here, the pot flows into a rill, which carries the water to a square, sunken pond. In a small area, you could simply have a pot bubbling water over stones. If you have more space, as here, create a larger water feature by digging out a formal sunken pond for fish and plants.
Do you have a water feature or pond in your garden? Share your tips and photos in the comments below.
A simple water feature will bring the gentle sound of flowing water to your garden. A minimally designed lead feature like this is easy to install and can be positioned in a range of places in a garden or on a terrace. Adding water to any garden brings it alive and listening to the gentle flow of running water is very relaxing, especially on a warm summer’s evening.