A splashing fountain, quiet pool, or meandering stream can transform a sun-parched yard into a refreshing beauty spot.
Here is the opportunity to garden in a new way—a sparkling clean approach, free from digging, watering, and dusting routines.
You do not need unlimited space to enjoy this kind of gardening. Even a few cups of water resting in a hollowed-out stone can accomplish wonders by reflecting the sky and providing a place for birds to drink and bathe.
Water in motion brings liveliness to a landscape. This may be the action of a stream as it tumbles over a wall or the gurgling sound of a lazy brook.
Pools For Beautiful Plantings
Pools like the one above reflect beautiful plantings and provide a home for goldfish and a place for water lilies and other aquatic plants.
See Overleaf for five more illustrations that show ways of bringing the sight and sound of water to a garden.
Above left: Inspired by the Orient, here is a simple way to place the sound of water in a garden.
The bamboo pole brings a trickle of water to the stoneware pot. A trouble-free, low-cost circulating pump uses the same water repeatedly.
Japanese-Styled Garden
Above, right: This commercially made waterfall has been effectively utilized in a Japanese-styled garden.
The small concrete pool provides a home for goldfish, a pot of equisetum, and a few floating aquatic plants.
Feather rock softens the edges of the pool. Needle evergreens and heavenly bamboo (nandina) complete this charming arrangement backed by inexpensive reed screening.
Reflecting Pool
Immediate right: A beautiful reflecting pool like this one, cool and quiet, might be a part of almost any garden.
Small bright pebbles carpet its depths, and boulders placed to appear as natural outcroppings of stone are ideal for locating pots of equisetum.
A candle lights the lantern in the evening and makes a beautiful reflection. The pebbled concrete surface picks up its texture from the pool. Goldfish give bright color and ripple the water occasionally.
Waterfall for Gardens
Upper photo, far right: Architect Ralph Vaugh designed this modern waterfall for his garden. Water drips gently over the glass shelves to the lily pool below.
Driftwood, rocks, and papyrus lend interest, silhouetted against redwood. Used bricks frame the pool, and cut stone holds the shelves.
Lower photo, far right: Water spills from one level to another in this pool, thus creating a delightful sight and sound.
Papyrus in the background grows in a bog and gives atmosphere to the landscape. The bench on the redwood deck suggests pausing to appreciate the beauty of this terrace.
44659 by Murtha Hurley