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An enchanted garden filled with ponds, waterfalls and lilies is not just a backdrop in a fairy tale. More and more serene water scenes are becoming focal points in residential backyards.
Sensory and Soothing
“The audible sound of water is very soothing and relaxing and has a cooling effect on a hot summer day,” says Richard Koogle, director of operations at Lilypons Water Gardens in Buckeystown, MD.
Ponds have a certain beauty that appeals to a variety of senses. The combination of vibrant plant and animal life along with a tranquil feeling provided by a trickling stream have made water features increasingly attractive to homeowners, Koogle adds.
“They are looking for big, bright flowers, colorful flowers,” he says. “Many people are looking for beautiful fish. Most people that come in here are interested in the whole package.”
A Flourishing Accompaniment
A water feature is as vital to a garden as flowers or plants, says Sandra Youssef Clinton, president of Clinton & Associates Landscape Architects in Hyattsville, MD. “I think it’s essential so I convince everyone of its necessity,” Clinton says. A water feature enlivens the space, she adds.
Ponds are especially effective when they can flow through the yard. “In a larger garden you can get very dramatic,” Clinton says. “We’ve designed big, natural water features with boulders and stream connections. We’ve also created just walls of water where water splashes from one shelf to the next and splashes into a large pond.”
Creating An Ecosystem
In the past five years the demand for water features has increased, says Andy Hobson, president of F.A. Hobson Landscaping and Nursery Inc. in Queenstown, MD. Ponds with waterfalls and sophisticated filtration systems are most popular, he says. “We basically create a whole ecosystem, covering the bottom with rocks.”
Small Solutions
Though breathtaking, some yards cannot accommodate a sizeable pond. Tom Nelson, landscape architect with Green Works Landscapes in Chantilly, VA, specializes in pond-less water features. “We’ve done a lot of things, they could be called bubblers, where you have an antique pot and have the water bubble up out of it,” Nelson says. “It’s a good way in a small space to actually get a lot of sound.”
Nelson also notes that some clients dream of a waterfall, but their yard is too flat to “make it look natural”– in which case he improvises. “We’ve used old birdbaths and things that have water come up through them and cascade up over the sides.”
For homeowners who have little or no yard, there are ways to bring water elements inside the house. Artistic Waters by Stephen Parrott specializes in hand-crafted water fountains for the indoors. One of Parrott’s more popular pieces is a copper cascade urn that resembles a planter. Water flows through copper leaves and vines and back into the base. The piece is available in various sizes, the smallest is a tabletop version, making it perfect for virtually any spot.
“I like how it sort of fits in everywhere. It has a great sound, it sounds like the rain,” Parrott says.
Upkeep
Although incorporating water elements into a residential landscape is becoming increasingly popular, some people still shy away from it because of the upkeep involved. Koogle says if a pond is near a tree, maintenance is more extensive. He also notes the average water pump will last three to five years.
During the off-season, Koogle recommends covering ponds with netting to catch leaves in the fall. In winter, he says pond owners should use a de-icer to insure their fish survive the harsh cold. For more tips, visit www.lilypons.com/infomain/planning.htm to learn about the “Seven Sins of Water Gardening” and how to avoid them.
