Water Garden Design Ideas

Welcome to Water Garden Design Ideas, a guide to creating your own water garden.

Often, when water garden design ideas come to mind, a feeling of tranquility flows through us. We envision acquatic- birds, fish, ferns, lilies, the peaceful bubbling, splashing sounds of gently tumbling water and a lovely cool summer breeze. Water is one of the Five Element of Feng Shui and the human race depends on it for life and survival.

Water is such an essential part of all our lives; an integral part, so why not add it into your garden, whether that garden is small and petite, or majestic and grand, a water garden feature will enhance it.

There really is nothing quite like the sound of water to soothe the soul, whether it’s the suck and hiss or the pounding of waves on a quiet beach, the gentle burble of a small country stream or the roar of a huge waterfall.

Water can not only mesmerize the senses, it can refresh and heal like nothing else. It is a balm unto the heart.

“He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.”

People who are seeking peace and tranquility in their lives can find it in a shape of a quiet pond or bubbling fountain right in their own backyard, verandah, courtyard or indoor garden.

Really! "Wow," fantastic water garden design ideas! Keep on reading for more.

We don’t have to have a large yard to enjoy the benefits of a water feature; nor is any particular style a prerequisite.

We can choose from a wide range of water garden design ideas; introduce into our garden anything from a simple fountain or small pond, to a more elaborate construction. It depends on what we want and what our space and resources allow.

In this Water Garden Design Ideas section of AGH you will find suggestions as to what type of water features are available. Also, you’ll find links to water garden websites, forums and landscapers.

Practical advice, and step-by-step instructions on planning and building your own pond, advice on landscaping, stylish ideas to help you create the look and feel you want, you’ll get them all here. You’ll also learn how to keep the water in your pond, pool or fountain happy and healthy.

We will discuss Feng Shui and the “Water Element” in ways that you may have never known; what plants to choose and how to care for them. How introducing water can increase and benefit your local wildlife, and how to stock it with fish, should this be your wish.

So, if you’re feeling stress and want release from it, why not try taking the plunge and dive deep into your own garden environment. Transform it into a beautiful tranquil space that you can come to, relax in, wind down, reinvigorate and grow whole again. Water…water is the way and a fabulous way to indroduce more water gardening ideas and styles.

Water Garden Design Ideas, The Waterlily

One of the most relaxing sites in a garden must surely be a shimmering pond full of water lilies. And an additional benefit is being able to watch the local wildlife as they come to visit. Water appears to attract them like nothing else.

The Chinese Taoists believe in keeping their ponds as close to to nature as practicable, thus storing the Chi energy as it gently flows through to invigorate the area as a whole.

Europeans have also captured this essence in many ways. For example: Monet’s famous Waterlily painting,(Monet's famous water gardens in Giverney, France.) which has now been fully restored to display its glory, encapsulates nature’s gentle energy with the brush strokes of a master.

When we come to the famous Water Lily that is used in nearly all styles of water gardens, and by all cultures, we can find ourselves in some difficulty, for water lillies are not easy to cultivate. However, it is worth making the effort, for they really do make all the difference.

Water Lilies (Nymphaea Species) include both deciduous and evergreen perennials, and we can divide them into two main groups:

- hardy and suitable for growing in most climates and conditions; - the tropicals, suited only for tropical and subtropical climates.

Both include many varieties. Moreover, they range from ‘small growers’ that are fantastic for little ponds and miniature water features such as water bowls, to bigger, more vigorous plants which will quickly fill a large pond, dam or lake.

The large leaves of Water Lilies, which float on the water’s surface, serve practical purposes as well being beautiful. These leaves provide a shaded water environment that helps reduce the growth of algae and provides a sheltered habitat for fish, frogs, turtles, and other water dwelling creatures.

Most lilies are easy to cultivate, but it’s important that some care is taken when establishing the plants in a pond. One common mistake is to plunge the potted plants directly into the water; to totally immerse them. This can be fatal, inducing shock, if the water temperature is really cold.

Ideally, the plants should be gradually introduced to their watery environment. Begin by placing them at the edge of the pond, barely covering the container with water, so that the plant can acclimatise gradually. Increase its depth over a period of time until it can be put exactly where you want it.

Lilies can either be planted directly into the soil at the base of the pond, or kept in pots underwater. In deeper water, structures will need be put in place so the containers are close to the surface. Inverting pots is one way this can be done.

Although lilies can be grown successfully in ponds with reticulated fountains or waterfalls, they dislike fast-flowing water and are not suitable for streams with an accelerated water flow.

Water lilies prefer the warmth of a full sun position, although there are some species that will grow in dappled shade. Also, they should be planted in ponds away from overhanging trees that will litter the water with leaf fall.

Water Garden Design Ideas, Waterfalls

Waterfalls are probably one of the most dramatic, yet peacefully and appealing ways for water garden design ideas, that can be used in the landscape. Whether it’s a tranquil trickle or a rushing torrent, a waterfall stimulates Chi and invokes the senses to make your landscape truly magical.

In fact the sound of a waterfall is so diverting that it can be used to minimize sound pollution. The adding of wind chimes in the surrounding area or an outdoor bamboo water fountain will also help add to the element of sound and induce the stimulation of Chi. So why not introduce all three, slightly distancing each one from the other, so that as you stroll along, each feature will create its own special moment.

When planning a waterfall in your water garden design ideas profile, consider the size of the garden. To be effective, the scale of the waterfall must be kept in proportion. Also, keep in mind the volume of water to be moved. It will vary according to size and style of the garden.

Ambitiously large waterfall features circulate massive volumes of water and need major reticulation. Such require a sizeable pump and lots of power. The quantity of water will be dictated by both the width and height of the proposed waterfall. And, of course, by the size of the ponds at both the base pond and top of the waterfall.

Stone and rock waterfalls can create a wonderfully cascading flow. There are many ways that larger rocks can be used to enhance this. A large, vertically placed rock may be used as a “fall” stone over which the water flows, while a smaller, well-rounded rock can be used as a “splash” stone at the base of the falls. The latter can create interesting water patterns and divide the water into two channels, before going into the catchment pond. Such splitting will also slow up the water, so your precious water lilies grow happily in oxygenated, but still relatively undisturbed water.

The placement of rocks is flexible. My preference is to follow a style that makes the watery landscape reflect Nature as it generally is. There are certain tricks that will help to create a pleasant, natural-looking balance. The rocks on either side of the water channel can be framed so that they stand out more than the waterfall itself. Prominent stones should be used at the head of the waterfall, and again at the base. This provides balance. In essence, the water should nestle within a stone framework, rather than being completely prominent and thereby overpowering.

After you’ve read this article your own creative water garden design ideas may abound. Still, I do advise you follow certain principles. After you have completed the stone-work, plants will be added and will ultimately frame and soften the outline of the waterfall. One tip is to not use any straight lines - unless, of course, you want to accelerate the water flow. However, if water is scarce or limited, one way to increase the oxygenation process is to have a straight line just before the splitting stone. This will stimulate the oxygen in the water, thus keeping down algae and promoting a healthier pond.

I hope you enjoyed Water Garden Design Ideas and found these articles useful. All the best and Happy Gardening Marty

Miniature Water Garden

Any container that is capable of holding water can be used to create a miniature water garden.

You can use just about anything so long as it’s not porous. Old galvanized water tanks, sinks and bath tubs – provided their outlets are plugged- are very serviceable, and can be made to look quite attractive, especially if sunk well into the ground.

Formal pond pool designs and ideas

In a Formal pond design, symmetry often overpowers Nature and this sometimes creates an “artificial” look.

Yet the Formal design can be just as appealing to garden-lovers as its “natural looking” equivalent. It is a matter of personal taste. Formal designs, however, do not follow Feng Shui principles and are generally looked upon more as a piece of landscaped art.

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