What Water Feature is Right for Your Landscape

Adding a water feature to a backyard or garden is a simple way to add a magical element as well as a visual point of focus to your landscape. If you don’t already have your sights set on a particular design, certain landscapes (and personal desires) lend themselves more to one type of feature over another.

What ambience do you want to create? A broad lawn under the sun might be the perfect spot for a swimming pool for the aquatic athletes in your family. But sometimes the goal is to add the relaxing sound of trickling water to produce a calming, peaceful environment to one’s surroundings.

Incorporating Water into Your Landscape Design: What Are the Options?

Incorporating water elements to landscape designs has blossomed over the years. Just consider a few of the lengthy list of options people throughout the Midwest are choosing from:

1. Bird Bath

Birdbaths are among the most popular ways to bring the enjoyment of water to a garden. If you delight in the local wildlife – particularly of the feathered variety – birdbaths can be a great source of pleasure in any backyard landscape.

2. Water Garden

You’ve likely seen these container-based systems, often made of pots or tubs. They really come to life when used to incorporate aquatic plants, waterfowl and even ornamental fish. A Reflecting pool can be added to your water garden with decorative features such as a geometrical shape or a stone pathway.

3. Mini Waterfall

Coming in diverse shapes and sizes, backyard waterfalls are often designed to complement a multi-tiered outdoor space. Are you working with a hilly or uneven backyard? A mini waterfall area could be a natural fit.

4. Garden Pond

Looking to enhance your natural habitat? A garden pond can be constructed in any designed landscape, both for beauty and as part of the surrounding environment.

Whatever you’re envisioning, work with a professional landscaping service that can help you bring it to life.

Create the Perfect Fountain for Your Outdoor Space

As for the fountain itself, it’s like choosing a piece of art for an outdoor living room, particularly if a sculpture will be on prominent display. The design can deliver a sense of grandeur or convey something more delicate and subtle. The structure can be modern or harken to a bygone era. Have the water jet into the air or trickle down into a stream below.

Want something more modern? Install a tiered fountain of multiple shapes at different levels. The water will cascade down from the top level and make its way below, where it can recirculate and be recycled to create a waterfall effect.

If you prefer to go in the opposite direction, small Japanese fountains are stylish and can be added to the corner of a small garden. Known as a sōzu, their simplicity is part of their beauty. Some consist merely of a piece of bamboo tubing angled to one side. It may be directed onto a stone, into a bowl or back into a reservoir.

Be Sure to Use Proper Irrigation in All Parts of Your Landscape

Proper watering is essential to keep gardens and lawns flourishing. And there are different types of landscape irrigation systems that can be tailored for each individual property.

When adding a water feature, talk to an irrigation tech about the techniques needed to ensure proper use of water. This is also a good opportunity to discuss the best systems for hydrating your plant beds, gardens, and lawn throughout the season.

Find a Top-Rated Fountain Design and Irrigation Expert in Your Area

The design specialists at Sheldon Landscape bring years of experience transforming different types of property. Our team can explain the differences between the use of each water feature, from a small, formal pond or fountain to a large, decorative pool. We’ll help you install or schedule the proper system, including:

• Surface Irrigation
• Micro-Irrigation such as Drip Irrigation
• Latest Tools & Technology for Your Changing Landscape

At Sheldon, our irrigation experts will not only help you design and implement the water feature of your dream – they will also ensure the proper maintenance for your plant beds, gardens, and lawn. Our experienced technicians will work with your irrigation system and create flexibility to accommodate your ever-changing landscape. We offer irrigation installations and will maintain your sprinkler system throughout the year.

Contact Sheldon Landscape to get started on a water feature and irrigation solution for your property. We will walk you through your options so you know you’re getting the best solution possible. Visit us online to find out more!