Creating a Splash: Unique Landscaping Concepts for Water Fountain Surrounds

A water fountain can be a captivating addition to any backyard, providing not only a visual spectacle but also soothing sounds that invite more time spent outdoors. These water features come in various forms, from simple bubbling fountains to elaborate statuary pieces, and their placement and surrounding landscaping can greatly impact their overall aesthetic and functionality.

Designing the Perfect Landscape

When planning your water fountain, it's essential to consider the type of fountain and its location. For instance, a more formal landscape might call for a more elaborate spray pattern, while a smaller, intimate space might benefit from a corner fountain framed by tall plants.

The choice of plants should also be carefully considered. Evergreens, such as Leyland cypress, provide structure, while ornamental grasses like Chinese silver grass and yellow daylilies add texture and colour. Climbing plants, such as pink climbing roses and trumpet vine, can adorn walls and trellises, while sun-loving plants like oleander brighten up sunny spots.

However, it's important to avoid trees with thirsty roots, such as willows, as they can grow under the fountain and make it unbalanced. Similarly, plants like yews, hollies, azaleas, rhododendrons, and mountain laurels have toxic leaves that can poison the water in the fountain.

Caring for Your Water Fountain

Maintaining your water fountain involves keeping it clean and ensuring the water remains healthy for both wildlife and humans. Avoid using chemicals that could make the water toxic to birds, bees, butterflies, pets, and people. Instead, opt for natural methods to control algae growth.

Underwater lights can enhance the fountain's beauty, but they should not cause glare or block the reflection of the moon on a moonlit night. Falling leaves, twigs, fruit, acorns, and petals can accumulate in the fountain and change its water chemistry, so regular cleaning is necessary.

Enhancing the Experience

Surrounding a water fountain with deciduous trees can provide shade and beauty, but it can also cause the fountain to fill up with leaves in the fall. Latticework covered by vines offers better wind protection than a wall or fence, and can provide an attractive backdrop for your fountain.

Floating ornaments can draw attention to a fountain in a subtle way, while gravel, river stones, paving stones, crushed oyster shells, and seashells can accent the base of a fountain, adding interesting textures.

Placement and Purpose

A water fountain can be a destination at the end of a long, landscaped walkway, a visual focus and a water source for wildlife in a landscape, or even a centrepiece for parties when placed inside a pool or water with low landscape plants. It can also be a focal point through windows during long winters, providing a touch of nature indoors.

If you're new to water fountains, it's best to keep the project simple, focusing on the basics and gradually expanding as you gain more experience and confidence. With careful planning and maintenance, a water fountain can become a cherished feature in your backyard, providing enjoyment and tranquillity for years to come.