Your backyard pond can be a source of great pleasure and enjoyment, adding to your landscape what few other features can; including, sound, movement, and wildlife attraction. However, while a water feature has potential to add so much to your landscape, it can be difficult to make it actually belong with the landscape.
Here are a few simple tips to create a beautiful element, rather than an out of place eyesore:
- Go Big
Build it a bit larger than you initially think – chances are you”ll wish it was bigger if you start too small.
- Use Natural Shapes
Use of irregular, flowing lines and kidney shapes for your pond are far more natural than perfect circles.
- Create Visual Interest
Break-up the perimeter with a variety of rock sizes, and be sure to have some of them stick out of the water. Not only does this create visual interest, but also a place for turtles to bask in the sun.
- Fitting In
Create a seamless transition to the surrounding garden beds by using similar plants both in and out of the water – various grasses, sedges, and irises fit the bill nicely.
- Add Wood
look at almost any natural water feature and you”ll surely find some fallen timber & stumps especially in a stream.
- Keep it to Scale
Keep the waterfall scaled to your property – you want sound and movement, but not Niagara Falls. Make sure it fits in with your property – nothing looks more unnatural than a flat backyard with that “mole hill” waterfall.
- Varying Water
Create variation in the types of water movement – small and large falls, cascades, and riffles add different sound tones and visual appeal.
- No Shy Gardens
Be generous with the size of the surrounding garden beds to blend the pond and stream into your yard.
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This really is just the tip of the iceberg, but things to think about when planning your pond. Feel free to contact us for more information.
