Water Features: Adding Tranquility to Your Garden

The gentle sound of flowing water, the play of light across rippling surfaces, the sense of life and movement—water features have a unique ability to transform gardens into tranquil retreats. From simple birdbaths to elaborate ponds and cascades, incorporating water into your landscape design adds a sensory dimension that few other elements can match. This article explores different types of water features, their benefits, and practical considerations for adding water to your outdoor space.

The Benefits of Garden Water Features

Water features offer multiple advantages beyond pure aesthetics:

Creating Atmosphere

Water engages multiple senses simultaneously:

• Sound: The gentle sound of moving water masks unwanted noise and creates a soothing backdrop.
• Visual interest: Reflections, movement, and the play of light on water add dynamic elements to the garden.
• Cooling effect: Water features can help moderate temperatures in their immediate vicinity during hot weather.

Supporting Wildlife

Even small water features can dramatically increase biodiversity:

• Providing essential drinking and bathing water for birds
• Creating habitats for frogs, newts, and beneficial insects
• Supporting aquatic plants that may otherwise be absent from the garden

Psychological Benefits

Scientific studies consistently demonstrate that water elements have positive impacts on mental wellbeing:

• Reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation
• Improving concentration and mental clarity
• Creating focal points that encourage mindfulness and present-moment awareness

Types of Water Features

Water features come in endless variations, but most fall into a few main categories:

Still Water Features

Still water creates reflective surfaces and peaceful atmospheres:

Formal Pools

Geometric in shape with crisp edges, formal pools complement contemporary or structured garden designs. Often featuring:

• Clean architectural lines and symmetry
• Modern materials like concrete, steel, or glass
• Minimal planting, focusing instead on the reflective quality of still water
• Often incorporating lighting for dramatic nighttime effects

Wildlife Ponds

Naturalistic ponds designed primarily to support biodiversity:

• Varying depths with shallow margins for wildlife access
• Native aquatic and marginal planting
• Natural materials like stone and gravel
• Often incorporating hibernation spots and hiding places for amphibians

Container Water Gardens

Perfect for small spaces or where excavation isn't possible:

• Can be created in almost any watertight container: ceramic pots, metal troughs, wooden half-barrels
• Easy to install and maintain
• Portable and adaptable
• Suitable for dwarf aquatic plants and sometimes small fish

Moving Water Features

Moving water adds sound, animation, and increased oxygenation:

Fountains

Available in countless styles, fountains work well in both formal and informal settings:

• Standalone fountains: Self-contained units that include basin, pump, and fountain head
• Wall fountains: Space-efficient designs that mount on vertical surfaces
• Spouts and spitters: Often sculptural elements that direct water into a basin or pool
• Modern water blades: Creating sheets of water for contemporary designs

Waterfalls and Cascades

Creating dramatic vertical water movement:

• Can be formal (with straight edges and defined drops) or naturalistic (resembling natural waterfalls)
• Excellent for sites with existing level changes
• Generate more sound than other water features—consider this in placement
• Require careful construction to appear natural and function properly

Rills and Streams

Linear water features that create gentle horizontal movement:

• Formal rills: Straight, narrow channels often used in contemporary or formal designs
• Naturalistic streams: Meandering watercourses with varied widths and materials
• Can connect different areas of the garden, drawing visitors through the space
• Work well on sloping sites where water can flow naturally downhill

Fog and Mist Features

Less common but incredibly atmospheric:

• Create dramatic effects, especially when lit
• Use minimal water and can work in very small spaces
• Add cooling effects in hot weather
• Can be incorporated into other features or stand alone

Practical Considerations

Before installing a water feature, consider these practical aspects:

Location and Scale

Successful water features are appropriately sized and positioned:

• Viewing angles: Position water features where they can be appreciated from key viewpoints—from inside the home, seating areas, or garden paths.
• Sound considerations: Moving water generates noise. Place features where the sound will be enjoyable rather than intrusive.
• Scale: The size should be proportional to the garden. A massive fountain would overwhelm a tiny space, while a small birdbath might get lost in a large garden.
• Sun exposure: Consider how much sun the location receives. Too much can lead to algae problems, while too little may limit plant options.

Water Supply

Water features need a reliable source for initial filling and topping up:

• Mains water: Most convenient but consider water usage and costs.
• Rainwater harvesting: More sustainable option, connecting water butts or tanks to feed your feature.
• Recirculation: Nearly all modern water features recirculate water rather than using a constant fresh supply.
• Automatic top-up systems: Available for larger features to maintain water levels during dry periods.

Power Requirements

Most water features need electricity to operate pumps:

• Outdoor electrical installation: Must be installed by a qualified electrician with appropriate IP-rated fixtures and RCD protection.
• Solar options: Available for smaller features but may be less reliable in UK conditions.
• Power consumption: Consider running costs, especially for larger pumps.
• Cable routing: Plan how cables will be concealed and protected.

Safety Considerations

Water safety is essential, particularly for households with children:

• Depth: Consider shallow designs or safety grids for deeper water.
• Access: Ensure edges are clearly visible and not slippery.
• Electrical safety: All electrics must be properly installed with appropriate protection.
• Maintenance access: Ensure you can safely reach all parts of the feature for cleaning and maintenance.

Water Feature Maintenance

All water features require some maintenance to keep them looking and functioning their best:

Regular Maintenance Tasks

• Removing debris: Regularly clearing leaves and other debris prevents pump damage and water quality issues.
• Checking water levels: Topping up as needed, especially during hot weather.
• Cleaning filters: Essential for keeping pumps running efficiently.
• Monitoring plant growth: Trimming and dividing aquatic plants as needed.

Seasonal Maintenance

• Spring clean: A thorough cleaning after winter, checking equipment and restarting systems.
• Summer algae control: Managing green water and algae growth during warm weather.
• Autumn preparation: Installing nets to catch falling leaves if near trees.
• Winter protection: Depending on the feature, you may need to drain water, protect pipes from freezing, or keep pumps running to prevent ice damage.

Water Quality Management

Clear, healthy water is essential for attractive water features:

• Biological filtration: Using beneficial bacteria to break down waste.
• UV clarifiers: For controlling algae in larger features.
• Planting balance: Appropriate quantities of oxygenating plants help maintain water quality.
• Natural additives: Barley straw extract can help control algae naturally.

Water Feature Design Styles

Water features can complement any garden style when designed appropriately:

Contemporary Water Features

Modern designs typically feature:

• Clean geometric shapes and straight lines
• Modern materials like concrete, Corten steel, or glass
• Minimal detailing and architectural simplicity
• Often incorporating lighting as an integral element
• Examples: water walls, minimalist rills, cube fountains

Traditional Water Features

Classic designs that complement period properties:

• Formal symmetry and classical proportions
• Traditional materials like natural stone, lead, or bronze
• Often featuring classical motifs or statuary
• Examples: tiered stone fountains, classical statuary fountains, formal lily ponds

Naturalistic Water Features

Designs that mimic natural water bodies:

• Organic shapes with irregular edges
• Natural stone, pebbles, and boulders
• Native aquatic and marginal planting
• Examples: wildlife ponds, rock streams, bog gardens

Japanese-Inspired Water Features

Drawing on centuries of garden tradition:

• Emphasis on symbolism and suggestion
• Often using water very sparingly but with great effect
• Natural materials with careful attention to detail
• Examples: tsukubai (stone water basins), shishi-odoshi (bamboo deer scarers), miniature waterfalls

Case Studies: Successful Water Feature Installations

Let's look at three water features we've installed for clients with different requirements:

Case Study 1: Contemporary Courtyard Water Wall

For a small urban courtyard in Leeds, we created a minimalist water wall:

• Design: A stainless steel water blade mounted on a slate-clad wall, creating a sheet of water that falls into a narrow rill.
• Challenges: Limited space, need for minimal splashing, desire for year-round interest.
• Solutions: Precise calculations for water flow, LED lighting for evening enjoyment, minimal but careful maintenance requirements.
• Outcome: The feature provides both visual interest and soothing sound while occupying minimal space. The clients particularly appreciate how the water reflects light into their ground-floor flat.

Case Study 2: Family Garden Wildlife Pond

For a suburban family garden in Bristol:

• Design: A naturalistic pond with varying depths, planted margins, and a small waterfall providing gentle movement and sound.
• Challenges: Ensuring safety with young children, balancing wildlife value with aesthetic appeal, managing maintenance.
• Solutions: Gently sloping sides with a safety shelf, carefully positioned viewing area with seating, low-maintenance filtration system.
• Outcome: The pond has become the garden's focal point, attracting frogs, dragonflies, and birds. The children enjoy supervised wildlife watching, and the sound of the small waterfall masks road noise from nearby streets.

Case Study 3: Formal Garden Tiered Fountain

For a period property in the Cotswolds:

• Design: A three-tiered classical stone fountain positioned at the intersection of formal garden paths.
• Challenges: Ensuring historical appropriateness, managing water clarity, providing winter protection.
• Solutions: Sourcing reclaimed stone for authenticity, installing a robust filtration system, designing a custom winter cover that protects while maintaining visual appeal.
• Outcome: The fountain provides a striking focal point visible from the main house windows and creates pleasant background sound for adjacent seating areas. The clients report that it has transformed their experience of the garden.

DIY Water Feature Projects

For those interested in creating their own water features, here are three projects of varying complexity:

Beginner: Container Water Garden

Materials needed:

• A watertight container (ceramic pot, half-barrel, metal trough)
• Small submersible pump (solar or mains powered)
• Aquatic planting baskets and aquatic compost
• Selection of water plants (1 oxygenator, 1-2 floating plants, 2-3 marginals)
• Decorative stones or gravel

Basic process:

1. Ensure your container is watertight (seal if necessary)
2. Position in final location before filling (water is heavy!)
3. Add pump and disguise cable
4. Plant aquatic plants in baskets with aquatic compost
5. Arrange plants and add decorative stone
6. Fill slowly with water and turn on pump

This simple project can be completed in an afternoon and creates an attractive mini water garden perfect for patios or balconies.

Intermediate: Small Preformed Pond with Fountain

Materials needed:

• Preformed pond liner (available from garden centers)
• Pond pump with fountain attachment
• Selection of pond plants
• Stones and gravel for edging
• Sand for leveling
• Spirit level

Basic process:

1. Mark out the pond location
2. Dig hole slightly larger than the preformed liner
3. Add sand base and level carefully
4. Position liner and check it's level
5. Backfill around edges with soil
6. Install pump and fountain attachment
7. Add plants and edge with stones
8. Fill with water and switch on

This project requires a day or weekend to complete and creates a more substantial water feature that can support wildlife.

Advanced: Cascading Stream

For experienced DIYers with some landscaping skills:

Materials needed:

• EPDM pond liner and protective underlay
• Powerful pond pump
• Selection of rocks and boulders
• Pond foam sealant
• Filtration system
• Aquatic plants
• Landscaping tools

Basic process:

1. Design and mark out the stream and collection pool
2. Excavate to varying depths, creating shelves and falls
3. Add sand base and install underlay and liner
4. Build rock formations for waterfalls
5. Install pump and filtration system
6. Test water flow and adjust rocks as needed
7. Seal gaps between rocks with pond foam
8. Disguise liner edges and add plants
9. Fill system and make final adjustments

This project will likely take several days and requires careful planning but creates a dramatic and naturalistic water feature.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Water Feature

With such diversity of options, selecting the right water feature depends on several factors:

• Your garden's style and size: Choose a feature that complements existing design elements and is proportional to your space.
• Maintenance commitment: Be honest about how much time you're willing to dedicate to upkeep.
• Budget considerations: Water features range from simple DIY projects to elaborate installations.
• Personal preferences: Consider which aspects of water appeal most to you—is it the sound, the reflective quality, the wildlife, or the visual movement?

Whether you opt for a simple birdbath, a contemporary water wall, or a wildlife pond, introducing water to your garden adds a dimension that transforms the space both visually and aurally. The sight and sound of water creates an immediate sense of tranquility that enhances outdoor living and provides a focal point for contemplation and enjoyment.

At SB&T Landscapes, we have extensive experience designing and installing water features of all types. From initial concept to ongoing maintenance, we can help you select the perfect water element for your garden. Contact us to discuss how we can bring the tranquility of water to your outdoor space.