Water; too much or too little. Either way, water and its power are central to the concept of a garden.
To those of us in the West, and parts of the world where the presence of water is less dependable and less abundant than we would like, we take our cues from the garden-makers of the Mediterranean and ancient Persia, who celebrated the presence of water in the garden as the life-giving force that it is. Those cultures were experts at creating maximum effect with minimum water, making the most of this precious resource. Below are a few guidelines for following this tradition in our own gardens.
This fountain is featured in a raised planter with a clay wall cap for comfortable seating.. The fountain anchors the stone and gravel courtyard in this modern Mediterranean home. (Joy Albright-Souza)
The fountain was created from a salt-glazed urn and is placed so that it can be enjoyed from important view points within the house. (Joy Albright-Souza)
What type?
Pools vs Fountains; there are endless styles of water features, but the most ancient designs were generally open cisterns or shallow pools. The idea of a fountain is the actual movement of water, to be enjoyed as it trickles or drips or sprays or gushes from high to low or from one place to another.
Favorite Style; I think the most versatile fountain style for many gardens, is the over-flowing vessel. This is usually a basin, bowl or urn and it can be scaled according to the needs of the garden. The shape is classic enough to go with almost any design. A specific statement can be made simply by the details of the vessel choice and the color of the glaze. This style can be rustic or Mediterranean or Asian or Modern or so clean and simple that we can’t quite put our finger on a particular era or style.
The placement of this bubbling water feature, makes great use of a tight shady corner that can be seen through the glass doors of the home. (Joy Albright-Souza)
Where to put it?
Up Front; A water source at an entry is a welcoming experience that caresses all the senses. The sight and sound of cool water offers a feeling of refreshment and arrival. It can bring to mind cleansing rituals performed before entering a sacred space.
On Center; A central location in a courtyard or garden is the traditional place for a water feature. This has been the way to access and celebrate water since the days when a single cistern was actually the primary water source, not only for the garden, but for all the household needs.
Frame the View; In our modern era, where a water feature is a luxury rather than a necessity, why not be sure that it enhances the view into the garden from inside the house? This allows the fountain to be enjoyed indoors or out and in every season. The easy way to do this is to frame it through doors or windows as part of the overall design.
This urn-shaped water feature would have also been beautiful inside the new raised planter behind it. But it’s placement in front, at the lower garden level, allows it to be better seen from the living room windows and seating areas inside the home. (Joy Albright-Souza)
The view of the glazed terra cotta fountain creates a focal point before the eye goes on to the fence and reservoir behind. The beauty of an urn-shaped fountain is that they still look appealing when the water isn’t running. (Joy Albright-Souza)
Draw the Eye; A simple but highly visual water feature can also be an important element for the longer view into the garden. A vertically-proportioned pot can draw the eye to a particular part of the garden or anchor a spot in the middle-view, before the eye wanders off to the distance. Choosing the right color for your purpose, is another key element.
Basin; The fountain can flow into a decorative basin that is part of the design, but the most popular style today is the hidden basin. This is generally a plastic reservoir, that holds the pump and water and is meant to be recessed into the ground. It is then covered with a sturdy plastic screen and decorative pebbles. The hidden water makes maintenance easier and discourages animals and insects.
Leaves can be a maintenance issue in some water features. But the beauty of the floating colors, along with the shapely reflections of the branches overhead, can make the placement worthwhile. If this doesn’t appeal to you, choose a fountain with a narrow opening. and a covered basin. (Joy Albright-Souza)
This deep red urn creates an important focal point in in front of the dark forest background even when the water isn’t running. A contrasting color is important here and the pleasure expands exponentially when the fountain is bubbling and the homeowners are playing bocce or sitting nearby for a cool drink. (Joy Albright-Souza)
Add Seating; To make the most of a water feature in a modern garden, be sure you provide a place to rest and enjoy the moment and to taste the cool moistened air.. A table and chairs, or a bench, nearby is ideal but the design can include a seat-height wall or comfortable raised planter edge as well.
Add Lighting; Water-proof lights hidden inside the urn make a beautiful glow at night. You can also feature the outside of the pot with gentle uplighting from low-voltage fixtures positioned at the base of the fountain.
Automate; A manual switch installed at a convenient location will make it easy to enjoy your fountain whenever you wish. I like to set them on timers; so that I am pleasantly surprised by the sound in the morning and know that its time for bed when it goes off at night.
The choice of the green glazed pot for this water feature was influenced by my clients Feng Shui consultant who wanted her to add green to the entry of her home. The sky’s the limit for design choices when you customize a pot to create a fountain. The reservoir hidden under the pebbles keeps it visually simple. (Joy Albright-Souza)
I suggested the custom bench for an awkward bump-out area of this front yard. It serves in lew of a porch as comfortable seating for moms watching the kids play, while they enjoy the tinkling of the entry fountain. Find more about the seating here; Garden Seating
If you already have a grounded GFI power source, then purchasing a plug and play fountain makes for an easy project. The style choices really expand when you customize a pot to assemble into a water feature. Most good pottery suppliers can do the additional drilling and sealing needed to make a pot a fountain. Several of the fountains above were actually installed by the homeowners. The project is definitely within reach for an interested gardener with a weekend to spare.
Here are a couple more of my favorite projects, that have been discussed in the past, that feature a central fountain that really completes the space. Click for the back stories.
A long skinny space gets a make-over in; A Garden Room Beckons
A former lawn is transformed into a welcoming courtyard in Lawn-Less By Design.
per joy 
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