Enchanting Water Fountains And Wall Fountains For The Garden

Water fountains can transform an ordinary garden into an extraordinary garden, mesmerizing the garden visitor by its sheer presence. The auditory and visual pleasure derived from water fountains is truly unique to their charming existence in a garden. The pleasant sound of the trickling water and the visual charm of its water add to the tranquility and peace of any garden.

History of Water Fountains
Historical records on the ancient Middle East include diagrams portraying the use of water fountains. The water fountain would be placed in the courtyards of finer homes. Quite often, the fountain would be rectangular in shape offering the opportunity to line the perimeter of the fountain with colorful trees.

Typically, the trees would be flowering trees such as fruit bearing trees. Thus, the Mesopotamians took advantage of fountains using them to irrigate large trees that could offer shade during the long hours of summer sun. Perhaps the desert terrain and the presence of an occasional oasis provided the inspiration behind the water fountains.

Ancient Romans have long been known to honor the rejuvenating effects of water. The famous baths of the Romans often had water features prominently placed in the gardens that were interspersed throughout the public areas.

Garden Fountain Basics
Decorative garden fountains are available in many freestanding styles. The elegant classic styles of the past remain popular with their intricately carved features. The multi-tier waterfall styles achieve delightful water sounds in addition to the aesthetic appeal that it offers to any garden viewer. The multi-tier design effectively creates a gently cascading fall of water.

In general, garden fountains are large in order to achieve a maximum effect. The size and style of the fountain are directly related to its ability to achieve a prominent place in any garden. Garden fountains can be used also for outdoor areas such as open or closed patios, decks, and even porches.

Wall Fountains
Wall fountains offer an excellent space saving feature that is perfect for smaller gardens or less than spacious corner areas of a larger garden that needs a bit of elegance added to it. Typically, wall fountains include a spout to expel the water and a basin to hold the water.

Quite often, the spout is an intricately designed feature of the wall fountain. Together the spout and the reservoir basin combine to create a uniquely themed fountain. Spouts are often in the shape of a being, mythical or real, becoming the focal point of the wall fountain.

Self-circulating Fountains
Self-circulating fountains are ideal since no water supply is required to operate them. If a re-circulating pump is used, it should be U.L. listed and approved. If possible, ask to listen to a working pump to gauge its level of quietness and efficiency. Mist making pumps are also sold for water fountains and ponds, adding an almost magical effect to any fountain.

Materials Used To Create Fountains

The sheer variety of fountain styles for the garden makes their selection a difficult but rewarding choice. Water fountains are available in a variety of materials including stone, wood, slate, fiberglass, ceramic, copper, resin, and stainless steel.

Wooden fountains comprise a smaller selection for the fountain buyer. The most common styles include tier corner fountains, an old-fashioned pump and basin model, and a tier style of the old-fashioned pump model.

Stainless steel models of water fountains are often quite large in appearance. They provide a bright addition to any garden, patio, or outdoor area.

Fiberglass fountains are quite popular for garden use since they are designed to appear like authentic stone, slate, concrete, etc. They are available in varied styles including pedestal, ground level, and wall fountains.

Fountains modeled in slate are generally freestanding ground styles. However, some styles of garden fountains will include some slate among their materials.

Copper fountains, finished with a patina or coated finish, add a touch of demure elegance to gardens, patios, and sunrooms. Many of the fountains modeled in copper will be smaller fountains quite often designed with basins and mini-tiers.

Although wall fountains may include components modeled in copper, many of them will not be completely done in copper. The hand crafted copper models of water fountains are a beautiful addition to any deck or patio area.

Fountains crafted from stone are available in pedestal styles, ground styles, and tabletop models. Stone fountains retain their popularity

Placement of Fountains

The size of the garden will influence the fountain selection with larger gardens being more amenable to a wider variety of sizes, styles, and number. Smaller gardens will fare better with smaller water fountains or even wall fountains of an agreeable size and style. Additionally, water fountains should always look as though they belong where they have been placed.

Outdoor fountains placed at ground level may require decorative fencing or edging to keep household pets at a distance. If this is undesirable for the garden, then consider a wall fountain or a pedestal fountain of sufficient height.

Keep in mind that birds may consider a water fountain as an open invitation for a visit. If a particular area of the garden attracts birds with annoying behavior, consider placing the water fountain somewhere else.

Wall fountains can be placed on a solitary wall or fence that is in dire need of sprucing up. Placement of the fountain depends, however, on the ability of the wall or fence to secure the fountain.

Imagine the delight of hearing your water fountain before you see it. Place it in a secluded spot, such as around a bend, to create this magical effect.

Selection and Purchase

Garden fountains are available in many locations including online sites, garden centers, home improvement centers, and even discount stores. Some sites offer the availability of custom designed fountains to ensure the customer receives exactly what they wish in a fountain. These will usually be crafted with special designs or instructions provided by the customer to provide a finished product that is generally worth the higher price tag.

Gardeners adding a water or wall fountain to their garden should attempt to stay within the theme that is currently displayed throughout their garden for a look that flows from one section to each of the other sections as one walks about the area.

Water Fountain Appeal

Many elements are essential to the creation of the tranquil sanctuary of a garden. Water and wall fountains definitely fall into this category. Gardens are often buffers insulating the homeowner from the harsher elements of urban life.

Water fountains and ponds can be used to instill a sense of tranquility and peacefulness.

Since water and wall fountains are available in so many different sizes, styles, and themes, they can be used on almost any location to pull it together.