There are few things as soothing to the soul as the sound of running water. But if you don’t happen to have a meandering stream in your backyard, you can still transform it into a relaxing retreat by including a water feature in your landscape design.
Chances are (since you’re reading this right now) you’ve already decided to take the plunge and add some kind of water element to your landscape, but you’re not sure where to begin.
To help make your decision easier, here are our top five tips to help you choose.
1. Choose a water feature that matches your goals.
Before you start looking at the different water features available to you, stop and ask yourself a question. What made you think about adding a water feature to your yard?
- Do you like the idea of sitting by a pond, surrounded by nature, while you hand feed your Koi?
- Do you love to relax on the deck and listen to the sound of the water as it falls gently over the rocks?
- Are you looking for that “wow” factor to enhance your property’s curb appeal?
Take your time and really think about this. Because whatever your motivations, being clear on what you’re looking for from a water feature will help determine which one is best for you.
2. Choose a water feature that suits your style.
In a previous post, we talked about choosing the right landscape design style. Knowing your style is just as important when it comes to deciding which water feature to choose.
Rustic or Naturalized
A naturalized landscape design is perfectly suited for the natural beauty of an ecosystem pond filled with native plants.
You’ll experience the serenity that comes from being surrounded by nature while providing a haven for wildlife — including things like fish, frogs and tadpoles (as an added bonus, they’ll happily gobble up mosquitos for you!)
Feel free to enhance your design even further by adding extra features such as bubbling rocks and waterfall spillways!
Contemporary
If you love a look that’s clean and contemporary, a rustic pond in your yard might not be your best choice.
Opt instead for the simple elegance of a patio pond. These water gardens are a beautiful alternative to ordinary potted plants and are easier to take care of too!
Other water features with a modern touch include patio basins, fountains, pondless fountains and basalt columns.
Formal
Formal landscape designs are neat, clean and well-manicured. Nothing is haphazard or left to chance, so water features like basalt columns, patio basins and fountains would be right at home.
3. Choose a water feature that suits your property.
Your property is as individual as you are — and for best results, you should choose the water feature that enhances its beauty.
Is there an area on your property that always seems to be a soggy mess? Instead of fighting with it, transform it into a gorgeous naturalized pond or waterfall. The worst spot to put a waterfeature is in the classic “soggy back corner of the property.”
All existing foliage, patios and walkways can be totally integrated into your new design — and you may want to include rainwater harvesting to provide a steady source of water to keep your yard green and healthy.
4. Choose a water feature that fits your budget.
When including a water feature in your landscape design, it’s always a good idea to keep your budget in mind. Working with a professional designer will make sure you get the ambiance you’re looking for and the quality you deserve.
5. Get inspired!
Take a walk through your neighbourhood, stroll through the park, and search for water features in the backyards of your friends and family.
Visit nurseries. Ask questions. You can find inspiration everywhere… we’ve even included some here from our own collection!
By including a water feature in your landscape design you can turn a ho-hum backyard into a vibrant ecosystem!
Want to know more about water features?
There are many benefits to adding water features to your landscape design, but creating one — especially larger-scale projects like ecosystem ponds — can be complex.
The team at Raymar is happy to help — we’re passionate about helping bring the benefits of water to your backyard. If you don’t know where to begin, we’re happy to design one for you!