Water Features
How nice would it be to sit on a patio, with a tall glass of lemonade, and a gurgling water fountain as background noise? A few words come to mind: peaceful, tranquil, and serene. Whether you have an expansive estate or a backyard that’s barely there, water features add a whole new dimension to your landscaping. They add value to your home, attract wildlife, are aesthetically pleasing, and are just plain enjoyable. Enjoy ponds, pond-in-a-pot, pondless waterfalls, streams, waterfalls, water fountains, pools, and water gardens from both outside and indoors.
One local homeowner and her husband put in just such a water feature 16 years ago. Their steeply sloping backyard was the perfect spot for a small stream to feed into a pond below. It is also refreshed by rainwater from one of the home’s drain spouts. An added convenience is that, they don’t need to change any filters because the stream runs through gravel before entering the pond, acting as a natural filter. The large boulders, smooth gray stones, small red pebbles, and the oak tree directly overhead make this pond very naturalistic. So much so that guests will often ask how they were able to find a home with a natural spring in the back. When asked what she enjoyed the most about it she exclaimed it was her favorite aspect of their home. “The sound of the water is so peaceful, calming, rejuvenating, and refreshing. Water is the symbol of eternity and I find that very renewing.”
As an avid gardener she also enjoys the special water plants that grow in the pond, from water lilies to irises. This added diversity in plant life and the gurgling sound of the stream also attracts a wide array of wildlife. Deer, frogs, and butterflies are common. Birds especially love to drink from and bathe in the pond. She offers this advice to homeowners looking to install their own water features, “Make it larger than you think. I always encounter people who install ponds and end up wishing they had gone larger. Also, spend the money to get the highest quality liner—it’s worth it. If you are able, consult a designer or artistic friend. It’s helpful to have an extra eye. In the long run, it’s the design that will make or break it.”
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