by Sammy Stein

Created on: March 07, 2008

Water brings numerous benefits to the garden. It increases the scope for planting because you can have aquatics, bog garden plants and deep water plants. It creates atmospheres, from deep,still pools to bubbling, gurgling fountains. A water feature can be large like a pond or small like a bubble fountain or wall spout.

Whichever you choose, there are some things to consider when landscaping for a water feature. First think about the use of the feature - is it going to be a place to sit by, or do you simply want the sound of water in the garden? Do you want to attract wildlife or do you want to keep fish in the pool? Is your theme formal or informal? Do you want the pond raised or level and what materials will you use for the edging?

Think about the users of the garden- make sure it is accessible and safe if there are elderly or children using the site. If there are pets,make sure it is not a danger and that they can get out if they do fall in.

Is is useful to sketch your site, using measurements of all boundaries and marking in features which are going to stay. Then, place your water feature in proportion to the other things, making sure you can get to it and also that it is not placed where it may be dangerous itself.

Think also, at this sage, if you will need a pump, power and a water supply to top it up. All electrical installations should be carried out by a professional. Will you need lighting around the feature? Lights and water can make a real difference and extend the use of the water feature area into the dark hours, creating a very special atmosphere so think about whether you want lights around the feature, in the water or directed on to it to highlight it.

What will be around the pond or water feature? You can use mirrors to reflect the feature itself or you can use plants to encourage animals to the pond, providing shelter and a change in planting plans towards the water. You can also consider whether you want to create a bog garden area, which will increase your planting scope even more around the pond.

If you are considering a pond, first decide where it is going. Ponds need to be in 8 hours of sun a day to be successful ecosystems. They should be away from deciduous trees if possible to avoid a build up of toxins as leaves fall into the water and decay.

Once you have decided on the placing of the water feature - here we shall consider a pond, mark out the proposed shape using sand, hose or string. Then, before any digging is done, look from all angles

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