Water Features
One of my favorite garden features is moving water. With winter in full force, let’s sit back and take a look at some great uses of water in the landscape.
Water features don’t have to be large to have big effects. This gardener created the illusion of a pond covered with hardy ice plant and decorative frogs. And here, this tabletop fountain with the cherubs under the umbrella, creates a soothing sound to relax on the patio and enjoy the landscape.
One of my favorites is this fishpond surrounded by a mass of tropical alocasia. Surrounded by the various sizes of rounded river rock, this display has a familiar feeling. The statue of the fisherman nestled in the dense alocasia and Liriope foliage gives the appearance of a mischievous boy sneaking in to fish at a forbidden fishing hole. I also liked the fountain made from the used grist mill stone. The duck and frog statuary give the appearance of the animals being drawn to the flowing water.
The sight and sound of water creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Here a large urn has been transformed into a fountain. Sitting on a bed of river rock surrounded by banana and iris, it appears the water is flowing through the colorful urn directly back into the ground. And the combination of fire and water adds an additional layer of interest in this fountain. The flame surrounded by the sight and sound of running water can certainly set the stage for a relaxing evening.
So while it’s cold outside this winter imagine what the addition of a water feature could do for you and your landscape. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.