Tranquil Water Gardens
Adding beautiful water features to your garden
Whether you live in a small suburban home or on several acres, you can add a tranquil water feature to your garden landscape. Water features can be as simple as a small modern-style rectangular pool or a large, elaborate pond with a waterfall. Depending upon your property and budget, there's plenty of elements to choose among to create a tranquil water garden.
This landscaped pool creates a stunning natural yet dramatic statement. A cascading waterfall adds movement and sound as well as aerates the pond for healtlhy fish and plant life. Lush water lillies add landing pads for frogs and other wildlife while providing bright pink focal points.
Another pond reminiscent of an 18th century landscape painting. The serene waters provide a reflection of the mature trees and large boulders around the perimeter of the pond. Water lilies and other aquatic plants add oxygenators to the pond, providing a healthy environment for koi or other fish.
Another take on the tranquil water garden, this time in an arid, mountainous climate. This pool moves away from the more natural style in the first two photos towards a classical look. A Greek-column pergola provides refuge from the hot sun, while native plants add touches of purples and shades of green.
Among the great gardens of the world, the gardens of Spain, influenced by Islamic elements, contain beautiful water elements. This landscape architect borrows many Moorish fountain elements for this small suburban backyard fountain. The blue tile and geometric shape is characteristic. This fountain is dry, but if it were running, it would probably feature a more serene spray than a dashing, dramatic spray.
This tranquil water feature is perhaps more affordable for the average homeowner than the stunning ponds and elaborate features in the first photos. A shaded pergola provides a great spot for entertaining and relaxing, and small, cascading plants on the edge add focal points.
Even the average homeowner can create a tranquil water garden like this one. This small space has been dug out and lined with pond liner, then edged with stones of similar size and proportion for a blend of modern and natural landscape architecture. A preformed pond base could be used instead of pond liner.
Another smaller, simpler tranquil feature. This feature is long and narrow, capturing the space available with a beautiful pond complete with water plants, lilies, and edging plants to accent the soft bow in the otherwise rectangular form.
For those with modern tastes, this unusual tranquile water feature provides a stunning focal point. Boardwalk-style paths provide space for meditative strolls among the placid waters.
A classic rectangular pond that would look at home on an estate as well as in a traditional landscape. A concrete form has been poured, followed by a simple reflecting pool. The surrounding landscape is natural and open to the views beyond.