Principles | Compatibility | Water | Courtyard
WATER
In preceding articles I have covered such fundamental aspects of garden design as features of the site, compatibility of the house with the garden style chosen, basic layout requirements and a selection of construction materials. Water in the garden and its relationship to the rest of the garden is the topic of this article.
THE FLOW
Ponds, streams, bubbling brook, lake or decorative fountain, whichever you choose, water should only be used to enhance the surroundings and bring a sense of tranquillity and refreshment. Water is only one factor to be looked at and should be seen in context with the whole site, its relationship to the rest of the garden will dictate weather to use it as a prominent feature or an incidental detail.
Running water will have to be designed using different levels this may involve substantial earthworks if the site does not lend itself to a natural changing of heights. I prefer to work with the natural landscape and design; a water garden that settles into the surroundings without too much pretension. A running stream will need to culminate in a wider pool which will be at the lowest point in the garden. The background should be at least twice as wide as the pool so as not to appear unnatural. If the site does not allow for this rule of proportion then you can overcome it by planting the far side with a vertical face to give the necessary frame.
Water can be used in less formal designs to bring depth and interest where broken shadow and sunlight are reflected and bring mystery to the garden. Water features in flower gardens should be handled very discreetly. Still water will reflect the colours of the flowers, trees and hedges and clouds passing overhead, and this will be enough. Adding fountains will only diminish the tranquillity of the scene and overdo the look. Water lilies would be appropriate planting in the pool of this style.
Formal gardens call for water features that are simple and unplanted. Shapes of formal pools are oblong, square or even L shaped and looks best with a flat capping stone, keep the formal pool depth shallow. Concrete planters with a small pump and fountain are a cheap alternative water feature for small courtyard gardens. A decorative fountain or spout is suitable in this instance and there are many fountains on the market to choose from.
If your water feature is unplanted, chlorine added to the water will keep it algae and mosquito free, planted water features will need to have fish suitable for eating mosquito larvae and an algaecide non toxic to plants and fish where a pool is in a sunny area.
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