Water In The Garden | Today's Transitions

When summer arrives in full force, and full heat, many of us instinctively seek out water. We head to the lake, the pool, the ocean, or even the nearest splash pad, looking for relief. There is something deeply refreshing about water — the sound, the movement. Fortunately, you do not have to travel far to capture that feeling. With the right water feature, even a small backyard can become a personal retreat.

**Photo: Waterfall design by River Bed Builders**

Trickling and timeless

Water has been a ubiquitous feature in gardens nearly since the first landscapes were created by humans. The use of water in the garden was initially practical: it could be used for drinking, irrigation, and cooling.

Over time, water became more: French kings used water to show everyone that they were in control, even over nature, as shown by the fountains at Versailles. Italian cardinals in the 16th century used water as a way to awe their visitors and impress their peers, in the hopes of gaining enough power and influence to become pope. Villa D’este in Tivoli alone had over 50 massive, gravity-fed fountains that are still awe-inspiring today.

**Photo: A water feature at Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania – courtesy of Chanticleer Garden**

In more modern landscapes, Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, understood water not simply as decoration, but as a source of calm and restoration. In his vision of parks and gardens, “green pastures” and “still waters” offered something people deeply needed: tranquility, spaciousness, and rest for the mind.

Options for your space

Incorporating water into your garden does not need to be complicated. There are many outdoor vendors that sell “plug-and-play” water fountains that just need to be filled with water and plugged in. My current favorite are these limestone troughs with copper spouts that add so much texture and character to any landscape space.

What kind of water feature will work for you? Consider:

Where do you have access to electricity?
Where do you want to hear the water? As you enter your front door? Near a seating area?
How will you maintain it? Water features will require regular cleaning, seasonal winterization, and occasional pump replacement.

By Kayla Oldham Hammett ~ landscape architect and owner of Firefly Exteriors, Inc.

P.S. Check out more from Kayla here: Garden Journal: A Clear View.