{"id":9930,"date":"2018-04-27T11:55:21","date_gmt":"2018-04-27T15:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.surroundslandscaping.com\/?p=5167"},"modified":"2024-06-12T18:08:28","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T18:08:28","slug":"the-role-of-garden-fountains-in-landscape-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.surroundslandscaping.com\/the-role-of-garden-fountains-in-landscape-design\/","title":{"rendered":"The Role of Garden Fountains in Landscape Design"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"garden
Water foams up through the center and trickles down the rough sides of this three ton block of quarry stone. PHOTO: Morgan Howarth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fountains have had a prominent role in landscape design for hundreds of years in both public spaces and private homes. Compared to other landscaping water features<\/a> such as waterfalls and ponds, garden fountains are less labor intensive to construct and offer a comparatively easy way to introduce the pleasing sensory effects of moving water to your outdoor environment.<\/p>\n

How Garden Fountains Contribute to the Landscape Experience<\/h2>\n

Water features can be used to create drama or tranquility in the garden. Moving water, such as\u00a0waterfalls, rills or fountains<\/a>, energizes the outdoor environment with sound and movement. Still water, such as an aquatic garden or koi pond, brings the feeling of quiet and calm. Given that much of the sensory experience of a garden is visual, garden fountains are unique in that they combine visual interest with the element of natural sound.<\/p>\n

Garden fountains can be designed to produce dramatic splash effects, or they can be simple and subtle. The choice of fountain style and size depends on the architectural style of the home, the style of the landscape design (formal or informal), and the area available in the landscape. It needs to be sized correctly for the role it will be playing in the landscape.<\/p>\n

Types of Garden Fountains<\/h3>\n
\"garden
The old world character of this centerpiece fountain complements the classic European style represented in the loggia on the right and the pool house on the left<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are two basic types of fountains: wall mounted and free-standing.<\/p>\n

\"bubbler
This rough-hewn basalt bubbler is the embodiment of simplicity. PHOTO: Morgan Howarth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Free-standing Fountains<\/strong>
\nOf the free-standing type, there are those with collection pools surrounding their base and those without. Fountains without a collection pool are referred to as \u201cdisappearing\u201d fountains. They typically are set on a base of river rock and bordered by plantings. Water percolates directly through the river rock into a below-ground reservoir where it is taken back into the water circulation system. These tend to have a more simple and natural look and work well near a walking path or sitting area.<\/p>\n

They are sometimes called \u201cbubblers\u201d because the water piped up through the center of the fountain bubbles at the top, then trickles quietly down the sides instead of free falling into a splash basin or pool below.<\/p>\n

Fountains with pools surrounding the base are typically larger and louder because the water drops from the fountain structure into the collection pool at its base.<\/p>\n

Wall Mounted Fountains<\/strong>
\nWall mounted fountains have a distinctly organic character especially if they are built into a retaining wall. The photos below show two different types of wall mounted fountains. One has the water drop from a spout into a collection basin. The other is known as a \u201cweeping\u201d wall because the water seeps out onto the rock face and trickles quietly down.<\/p>\n

\"wall
The sounds of this wall mounted fountain welcome visitors to the side door of this home. PHOTO: Morgan Howarth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Different Locations for Different Effects<\/h3>\n
\"weeping
A weeping wall fountain. Water seeping from crevices in the wall drips gently into a koi pond below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your landscape designer will decide on the location for your fountain before selecting the fountain itself. That ensures you\u2019ll choose the right fountain size and style to fit the available space.<\/p>\n

In an expansive landscape, a large fountain may be positioned as a centerpiece to anchor a portion of the landscape design visually. An urban courtyard with limited space would be best served by a small simple fountain. Generally, you want to set the fountain where it will show to best advantage from multiple viewpoints.<\/p>\n

\"fountain
Water shimmers down the curved length of this fountain made of Corten steel. PHOTO: Morgan Howarth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You may want to think about positioning your fountain:<\/p>\n