How to Design a Water Fountain Garden

Water fountain gardens add tranquility to any landscape.

Turn any backyard into a bubbling oasis with the addition of a water fountain garden. Just about any vessel, whether it is an urn or a glazed or stone pot can be transformed into a soothing fountain. Fresh water is a refreshing addition to the garden, and will attract a variety of butterflies and birds. Adding a few decorative plants, stones and other elements completes this project, which will have a dramatic impact on your yard. A straightforward water fountain garden can be built in an afternoon with minimal expertise and supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Large ceramic-glazed pot
• Small ceramic-glazed pot, with a circumference to nest inside of larger pot
• 5-gallon plastic bucket, 1/2-inch wider than the diameter of the large pot's bottom
• Silicone caulking
• Rake
• 3 bags of pea gravel
• 42 inches of plastic tubing to fit pump outlet
• Submersible fountain pump (250 gallons per hour)
• 3 medium-sized rocks with interesting shape
• 4 medium-sized flagstone rocks
• Tin snips
• 3 solar lanterns with hooks
• 8 clay or stone pots and basins of various sizes with plants
• 4-by-4-foot piece of landscape fabric
• Landscape fabric pins

Instructions

1. Choose a location for your water fountain garden. The location should be level and close to a grounded outlet.

2. Rake the chosen area, removing any sticks, stones, or other debris. Mark the center of the area with a stake.

3. Dig a hole for the plastic bucket. Cut a 1/2-inch slit in the bucket edge. Lower the bucket into the hole leaving the rim at ground level. Place the fountain pump inside the plastic bucket.

4. Lay the landscape fabric over the cleared spot and cut a hole where the bucket is. Secure the landscape fabric with the fabric pins at the four corners and on each side.

5. Secure the plastic tube to the pump. Pull the tubing outside of the bucket. Cut a square opening 1/2-inch wide using tin snips, in the center of the mesh wire. Thread the plastic tubing through the hole. Place the mesh on top of the bucket. Pull the fountain pump cord out and lay it in the bucket's notch. Fill the bucket with water.

6. Pull the free end of the plastic tube through the drain opening of the largest pot. Place the pot in the center of the steel mesh square, sliding the tubing out of the way as you lower the pot.

7. Run a layer of silicone caulking along the inside lip of the large pot. Place the smaller pot into the larger. Fit the small pot's drain hole over the plastic tubing. Trim the tubing until it is even with the bottom of the small pot. Allow 24 hours for the caulking to dry.

8. 

   Position potted plants creatively around the fountain.

   Lay flagstone rocks around the pot to hide the wire mesh. Pour pea gravel on the landscape fabric. Position potted plants and larger rocks creatively around the fountain. Scatter solar lantern lights around the fountain garden to provide some evening light.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the fountain clear of debris

• Refill the fountain regularly to keep it clean.

References

• Peters Perfect Ponds: Expert Pond & Landscaping, Pictures, Designs & Ideas
• Fine Gardening: Simple Ways to Add Water to the Garden
• Sunset: Step-by-Step: Build a Soothing Fountain

Resources

• This Old House: How to Build a Fountain