JULY SERVICE HIGHLIGHT: WATER FEATURES

By Frank Stewart, Landscape Manager

What could possibly sound more attractive during these hot, humid summer days than sound of a cascading waterfall tumbling into a rolling stream and meandering its way into a natural pool of cool, clear water with beautiful aquatic plants and colorful Koi swimming peacefully about? It would be perfect it was your own private waterfall in your own backyard!

This nirvana can be achieved possibly more simply than you may have imagined. Backyard water gardeners usually fall into two categories: The enthusiast who visits the water garden at every opportunity to feed the fish (which he may have named and are like family pets), tend the plants and just soak up the atmosphere. And there’s the individual who desires the aesthetics of a water feature without the interaction and the maintenance.

The very first question to ask your self when considering the addition of a water garden is which category do I realistically fall in? If you feel as if you would become involved and really enjoy having a pond with fish, frogs, turtles and plants, then a living eco-system pond with a waterfall is definitely for you. The pond can be made big enough with a stone bottom that you can wade into and be amongst the wildlife. If there are children in the household this is especially enjoyable and educational.

However, if you know that your lifestyle does not allow for the care and maintenance of a pond but you really appreciate the aesthetic value of running water, then your best option would be a “pondless” waterfall that requires very little maintenance. Here are some truths about water gardening that we have discovered over the years:
-A properly designed and installed water feature often becomes the focal point of outdoor recreational activity.
-Humans (and most other animals) are naturally drawn to the sound of a waterfall.
-A waterfall can effectively mask unwelcome sounds such as traffic noise. It does not have to over-power the volume. The ear just seems to focus in on the water sound instead.
-The most common regret of homeowners who have installed water features is “I wish that we had made it bigger.”
-Just like almost every other aspect of landscape installation, the first and most important step is site selection.
-Water garden systems and technology have greatly improved over the last decade; so even if you had a bad experience years ago, do not be afraid to re-investigate the possibilities.

If you have ever entertained the idea of adding a water feature, please give us the opportunity to come to your home and discuss the potential with you. Ask about the environmentally friendly option of a “rain exchange” water garden that collects rainwater to be re-used in irrigation systems or other outdoor uses. Let’s get wet!