How to Landscape a Garden Waterfall

A waterfall draws attention in any garden. Most people plan their garden landscape design around the structure of the waterfall. Garden waterfalls can range from small to large, offering everything from a trickle to a consistent flow of water. Having the right supplies on hand will make the landscaping process go smoothly.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Rake
• Top soil
• Landscaping liner
• Garden shears
• Decorative garden edging
• Plants
• Decorative accents

Instructions

1. Prepare the area around the waterfall. Dig an area up to 6 inches deep and as many feet wide as you would like your plants and landscaping to extend. Remove grass, roots and sharp debris from the ground. Smooth the area out with a rake. Add landscaping liner as a base to prevent weeds from rooting and growing around the waterfall. Fill in the area with topsoil.

2. Choose an edging to support the plants and accent the waterfall. If the waterfall is made from rocks, add larger rocks, clusters of stone or boulders around the edge. Keep the larger items toward the back of the waterfall and then tier them down, around the pool area to the front. Don't allow the edging to take away from the focal point of the waterfall. If you choose to just use mulch and accent with plants, add a plastic edge to the perimeter before you add the plants.

3. Select the plants for the waterfall. Try to keep the area blooming throughout the season by choosing water-loving plants that thrive in a moist environment. Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as hyacinths, tulips and daffodils that will provide early spring color, but keep them on the perimeter of the garden so the bulbs don't rot. You may choose to plant bog-loving perennials that will reappear each year such as water lilies, lotus, cannas, irises, water poppies, parrot feathers and papyruses. Bog plants can be placed directly at the edge of the waterfall and pond. Fill the outer edges with colorful blooming annuals such as impatiens, begonias, coleus and petunias.

4. Configure lighting for the garden waterfall. Solar lighting is an easy option. Most solar lights run off of LED. These can serve as a border or accents. Smaller lights can be camouflaged within the plants to accent the waterfall. Colored LED lights are also available for a rainbow effect.

5. Add decorative accents such as an arbor, birdbath, cedar rocker, gazing ball, birdhouses, decorative garden stakes, statues and lanterns.

Tips & Warnings

• Flowers can be replaced with pavers, mulch or rocks if desired.

• Sandstone or flat stones can jut out over the interior edge, creating a more natural look. Be sure to add support with extra topsoil.

References

• Great Landscaping Ideas
• Free Landscaping Ideas
• My Ideal Garden

Resources

• Garden Waterfall
• Solar Lighted Rocks