How to Landscape Around a Garden Fountain

Consider the fountain the centerpiece of your garden.

There are many different styles available in garden fountains. Like any water feature, the surrounding landscape will either enhance your chosen fountain or detract from its beauty. There is no single, right way to landscape around a garden fountain, but there are some basic guidelines you can use to create the most complimentary surroundings for any fountain. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Use your fountain as a focal point in your garden. Place it where it can be seen easily from window views, patio seating and other places where people are likely to be looking out at your garden. A fountain can be the centerpiece to your whole landscape.

2. Build pathways so they lead both the eye and the feet to the garden fountain area. Paths can be geometrical, simple straight lines or wander in a natural curving design.

3. Place seating by your fountain. Not only will it create a comfortable invitation for passersby but it will offer a place to sit, relax and enjoy the fountain.

4. Look at the area where your fountain is located. You will want to surround the feet of the fountain with materials or plants that will be easy to maintain in that spot. Plan to use shade plants if there is little sunshine, or consider using inorganic materials like stone if your fountain is placed where watering will be difficult, or choose native plants where you want to create a natural low maintenance garden.

5. Landscape the area around your fountain by following the design of the fountain itself. For example, an adobe-styled fountain will look best with a Southwestern styled landscape. Consider using cacti and succulents, drought-tolerant plants, terra cotta colored gravel or maybe some chaparral-type ornamental grasses. Or plant a fountain that is designed with tropical volcanic stone with large foliage plants that create a rain forest effect.

6. Surround your fountain with a permeable ground surface. You can plant growing things at the base of your fountain or set stones, gravel or other pavers to frame your fountain. By using ground cover that allows water to soak into the soil easily, you are less likely to have problems with water creating puddles should your fountain overflow. Permeable surfaces are also ecofriendly and simply look good.

7. Landscape around a garden fountain in a way that will highlight the style and the décor of your fountain just as much as your fountain highlights your garden and you will love how it looks.

Resources

• Different Kinds of Fountains