Fountains are a wonderful way to bring the appealing element of water into a landscape. They can be very bold, dominant, make a more formal statement, or they can be small, casual or make a different kind of statement. Many fountains reflect and enhance the overall style of the landscape – contemporary, Northwest, cottage, eclectic, Asian, formal, traditional … so many…. Shades of Green Landscaping has designed custom fountains and also installed pre–made fountains into a project per the landscape plan.
There are many choices regarding a fountain – size, shape, color, material, type of sound, style, amount of water to be flowing, if there is a basin of water at or near the bottom, or the water ‘disappears’ into the ground/pebbles and be recirculated.
Fountains can be placed almost anywhere within a property, as long as there a a level place and power available. Many are near the front entry to greet visitors, some are in courtyards or near patios for outdoor enjoyment or entertaining, some are intended on being seen from mainly indoors, and others maybe out in the yard, flower beds, or along a woodland path on the property. Some may be seen from a good distance while others are a pleasant surprise when you discover them. There is really not a limit as to what you can imagine to design a fountain into the landscape …. and there is usually not a right or wrong solution as to the placement or type of fountain …. every one has its own beauty that appeals to someone.
Besides the appeal of water – its flow, movement, the splashing, the light and reflections, and the natural human attraction, there is also the sound the fountain creates. Some fountains may serve a double function of providing visual enjoyment, but also diminish negative sounds nearby – traffic, noisy neighbors, overhead planes, barking dogs, etc. Or they can provide calming and soothing noises to take a nap in a nearby chaise lounge, or read a book, or have an intimate conversation or relaxing dinner, maybe refresh from the coolness the water naturally provides on a hot day.
A fountain may attract visitors – birds, butterflies, dragonflies and more … sometimes a thirsty cat will get a drink or just explore. Rabbits and deer will come for a drink – of course this depends on where you live, if your property is fenced, where on your property the fountain is located, and the type of fountain it is.
Fountains are relatively easy to maintain. Depending on the type, they may take little to no cleaning; most take an annual cleaning, and some may need a little more, depending on its location or style.
A fountain is generally not expensive, unless you are commissioning it from a well known artist or are adding a bronze sculpture as part of it, or it is very grandiose. Today’s pumps are usually high efficiency, they last many years, and they cost very little to run 24/7. A fountain may be built on-site and be one-of-a kind, or it may be something ordered and brought to the site with little or no major assembling.
Here are some fountains Shades of Green Landscaping hopes will help you envision the potential of having something similar in your own yard:
Set along a back yard pathway, this fountain contrasts nicely with the foliage.
A large, angular basalt rock was drilled and made into a lovely fountain.
The cat is enjoying a drink and the cool spray of this fountain on the Enumclaw plateau on a very hot day.
Plumbing for this unique fountain is run through the adjacent wall and flows into the urn below the spigot.
Installed for a wedding, this fountain is the focal point of the garden space.
Flat slab rocks were stacked to make a unique fountain.
Cast Concrete Fountain and Birdbath outside a bedroom window
This fountain is a focal point of the patio, emphasized with the curvature of the wall and the shape of the patio.
This 3-Stone Fountain is a nice foreground to the golf fairway in the distance and its noise adds privacy between the passing golfers and the owners on their patio.
Brightly colored planter has been converted into a bubbling fountain and is the centerpiece of this Asian Garden.
Grand Fountain centered on the front doors of the house and at end of entry walk before turning to the front door.
Bamboo chute delivers water to the concrete basin and rock below in this Asian Garden.
The cool aqua color of this fountain contrasts nicely with the predominately warm colors along this garden walk.
Bronze frog fountains spray spouts of water into a koi pond, adding more aeration and ‘action’ to the pond.
The fountain provides a nice sound element in this country garden
Fun way to incorporate some water in a very dry area with a partially buried urn
It’s not easy being green or small, but this little frog fountain works beautifully at the offset of a sidewalk and patio connection.
This 3-Stone Fountain along Redondo Way and Beach Walk muffles the traffic noise from the busy road as well as the conversations of the many walkers passing by.
Drilled cobble slabs make a nice surprise fountain to find out in the garden
The tan color of this fountain contrast nicely in the greens of this fern garden.
This jade colored fountain was from a kit and installed on site. The stacked stone sides adds little whitewater splashes as it hits the protruding stones on its way down into the reservoir.