Water adds qualities to the landscape that are virtually impossible to duplicate in any other form.  Water can be calming, providing a gentle reflection of the world around it, or it can be a splashing, riotous point of interest.  It can be contained in a small space, such as a backyard birdbath or a small barrel that is home to a few flashing goldfish.  Or it can spread wide and deep in pools and ponds of infinite dimension.  Nothing quite captures the imagination like water.  And for the gardener who has learned to "cultivate" it, water can change the focus and shape of the landscape.  The water garden becomes the focus from which other design elements-trees, plants, paths and statuary-radiate.

Siting Your Water Feature

Although an open, sunny location away from buildings and overhanging trees will provide the best conditions for most aquatic plants, this placement may not be possible in many mature landscapes.  There are other important aspects to consider as well, such as where you will most often view the feature.  Will it be from a bench on an outdoor patio, or will you spend most of your time gazing at it from an easy chair in the living room?  Take into account how the water feature will look and how it will relate to the rest of your landscape during the four seasons.  It's a good idea to spend some time considering placement of the feature before developing your initial plans.

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