Creating picturesque, natural-like backyard water features

by Sally Bouorm | June 1, 2012 9:42 am

By Anthony Archer-Wills

[1]

“These rocks and pools have always been here, haven’t they?” “Surely you didn’t build this.” “This looks like the hand of nature.” These are comments every water shape designer loves to hear, but alas, all too often they do not. Many manmade water features are meant to appear natural; however, most are not that convincing.

Those looking to hone their skills should spend additional time walking through the countryside to study nature, while also observing other work completed by master water feature designers/builders. During this quest, many will find room for improvement and even adopt some new radical techniques to cost effectively reach higher standards.

What to avoid?

The most glaring example of a water feature gone wrong, which designers/builders should avoid, is the ‘volcano of rock’ concept that has water gushing from its summit. If this is intended to be an eye catcher, it most certainly is, but for the wrong reasons. If the feature needs to be seen by every passing motorist, be honest with the material and make it obviously manmade and formal (e.g. water sculpture). Do not pretend it is a natural feature by simply piling rocks into an obvious artificial mountain—water does not emanate from these sources.

To make a manmade water feature appear natural, attention to the water’s source should be considered first. There needs to be a plausible reason for the water. Many different approaches are available to water shape designers, but they need to seem realistic. Spending time in the countryside or at national parks can prove helpful as these geological sites provide excellent examples of water sources ranging from majestic to discrete. For instance, one can find water emerging from fissures in rocks as mere trickles that join forces to become large streams of water, or even curious marshy areas where water oozes from the ground amid fascinating bog plants. Some features are vast and some are tiny—scale is unimportant. It is the principle that matters as size can always be adjusted to suit the particular project.

For a water feature to appear natural, it must fit harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. More than likely, the client will have a good reason for wanting a water feature and they will certainly have a goal in mind for the project. Whether it is for water lilies, fish or swimming, water shape designers should also consider what opportunities the site will readily provide.

Steep terrains

These terrains require rock outcrops to hold the grade and lend themselves to waterfalls and rock pools. One benefit to this type of water feature is the added element of sound. A steep terrain allows water shape designers to create a wide range of harmonics—between light tinkles and deep gurgles—to lull one to sleep or mask the unwelcome noise from traffic.

[2]

Larger rocks placed on either side of the water course can be used to guide water flow. These should be set well into the bank to give the impression they have been exposed by the erosive effect of the flowing water. Waterfall stones should be set to emulate the wonderful intricacies of nature, where water and rock are in constant conflict. This ongoing battle causes the flow to leap in all directions producing chutes, flumes, fans and riffles, with each catching the sun to create a kaleidoscope of colours. All of this water, whether exuberant or modest, should not emerge from the top all at once, it should start discretely.

For example, a water shape designer can create a rock fissure, a tumble of rocks with moss and ferns, or even a small cave from which the water could appear and the ground can be carved out to form a valley through which water will flow. As the stream descends the hill, it can be augmented with additional water to increase flow, just as it would in nature. Additional water can be added via smaller side streams, which join the main water course, or through hidden springs in the rock pools. Either of these can be easily achieved where the water is recirculated by simply running pipes up to the required injection points.

A level cue

When walking downhill on natural terrain one will notice the stream gradually increases in volume before reaching an area where it levels out and pools in a much larger body of water. This is the cue to design a pond at the bottom of the stream system from which water can be pumped back up to the top.

At all costs, try to avoid creating a large pond at the upper end of the system with a smaller one at the bottom. This becomes a ‘top heavy’ situation and makes efficient water circulation difficult. The lowest pond, the one from which water is pumped, should always be the largest. As a rule of thumb, the bottom pond should have a surface area no less than the combined size of all other water surfaces.

Level landscape settings

When working with flat terrains, a rushing rocky stream may not be appropriate. In this case, a more pastoral approach should be used instead.

Again, when looking to nature for inspiration, one will notice how streams tend to widen into the plains to form marshes and lakes as they meander slowly through the flatter countryside. This becomes the perfect location for creating a gentle meadow brook with an ornamental pond. The pond may be designed for any number of uses all of which can be achieved without losing its naturalistic qualities.

Sometimes, however, a garden or backyard may be surrounded by walls and/or fences, making the idea of creating a natural-looking water feature seem highly unlikely. One way a water shape designer can work around these situations is to build a low archway against one wall, along with a second similar structure on the opposite side of the garden. This will allow the mechanics (e.g. water tank and piping) of the brook and pond feature to be hidden within the structures and operate via gravity.

In doing this, it becomes possible to make the brook seem as though it flows throughout the property. Further, with a little cunning, water shape designers can create a natural-looking brook and/or ornamental pond by incorporating materials used in any structures on the property (e.g. tricking up the mortar to match). A little dirt and moss can also work wonders.

Wildlife ponds

[3]

If the client wants to attract butterflies and water-loving creatures to their property, a wildlife pond may be in store. This type of water feature requires a varied water depth, including large shallow areas devoted to aquatic and moisture-loving plants. There is also need for some loose rocks nearby to create a hibernacula (hibernation site) where amphibians (i.e. frogs, toads, salamanders, etc.) can be cozy for the winter. Creating a link from the pond to nearby woodland will also help create a safe corridor for creatures to travel to and from without becoming prey to birds flying overhead. This route can easily be created with judicious shrub planting.

There should also be an area where the lawn meets the water’s edge, as the client should also be able to reach the pond. An obvious manmade structure (e.g. a crisp lawn edge, timber deck, dock, or stone patio) will contrast with the pond and further its natural appearance, making it seem as though the water had always been present and the client needed to make it more approachable.

Rock groupings

The naturalistic features of a manmade pond and/or waterfall can be further enhanced with the addition of rock groupings. To do this, it is important to find rock appropriate to the local area, while also paying close attention to the way it is bedded.

[4]

For instance, the rock’s grain lines and the manner in which water and weather erosion produces gradual disintegration should be noted. The process of erosion and disintegration creates beautiful effects with moss and ferns intruding into the gradually widening crevasses of the rock.

This time lapse feeling can be reproduced by deliberately adding small tumbled stones beneath larger rocks and filling the gaps with native plant material. The composition will not be all that convincing by simply using a few small pieces of stone; therefore a number of large rocks should be incorporated to make the water feature appear more realistic.

Some areas may not have any exposed solid rock strata and are rather strewn with glacial erratic boulders. In some ways, these are easier to place as good connections with strata and grain lines are not relevant. However, even with boulders, it is better to vary the size and avoid even spacing. In terms of placement, rocks should not simply border the pond or stream, but rather feather out into the surrounding landscape. This leads one to believe they were already in the ground, but exposed by occasional floods.

Rock-edge pools

When constructing a rock-edge pool, it is extremely important the stones rise out of the water and are not simply perched on the rim. If onlookers can see any hint of construction materials (e.g. concrete or plastic liner) peeping out beneath the stone, then the illusion is immediately lost. Rather than appearing natural, the rocks will look obviously placed, putting the entire water feature’s authenticity into question.

[5]

To prevent this, the basics of water feature design need to be understood. For instance, the first order of business, whether building a stream, pond or pool, is ensuring the water feature will retain water. If someone is fortunate to enjoy a constant spring or stream in their garden, then this problem is solved. However, very few have this luxury; therefore, water features must be lined with an impervious coating (e.g. clay, sodium bentonite[6], concrete, butyl rubber[7] or ethylene propylene diene monomer [EPDM] rubber[8]) to ensure water retention.

There are a number of different flexible liners on the market; however, for ease of use and cost effectiveness, fish-safe EPDM liners are typically used. These liners are extremely elastic and resilient, and when sandwiched between two layers of non-woven geotextile fabric for protection, they make an excellent, durable pond liner.

To install the liner, a level shelf around the water feature’s inner perimeter should be formed during initial excavation. Its depth depends on the size of the feature; however, as a rule of thumb, 305 mm (12 in.) will allow for a protective layer of concrete or gravel onto which the rocks can be placed. The amount of rock hidden below the water can then be adjusted to suit the angle, shape and position that best conforms to the geology of the area.

When placing rocks, complete freedom of expression and movement is needed to get the best fit in all three dimensions. Therefore, by creating a reasonably wide ledge, there will be plenty of room to manoeuvre. The added benefit of using a flexible liner system not only provides an opportunity to increase its size should a large stone require more space, but the liner can also be brought up behind the finished rockwork to eliminate any unnecessary hydric (i.e. extremely wet) areas.

On the edge

[9]

Now, with the liner in place, focus should be directed to the water feature’s edge detail. No matter the water feature, the border will determine its appearance (e.g. formal or natural, rocky or marshy, beautiful or ugly). In fact, creating the edge will likely be the project’s greatest expense due to the attention to detail and excellence in construction required.

When creating the edge, do not attempt to incorporate more than three different edge types or the water feature will look cluttered and more like a garden centre exhibit. Examples of elements that work well together include rock with sand, gravel and marsh plants, or possibly even a large expanse of emergent plants (i.e. plants with underwater roots that grow above the surface) and marsh planting with timber decking and lawn to the water’s edge. More or less, any combination can be made to look as though the pond had always existed. The more artistic and imaginative the edge design is, the better the result.

It’s all in the details

Although judicious planting can help mask various imperfections, no amount can compensate for poor execution of rockwork or edging detail. With that said, water shape designers are fortunate most natural ponds accumulate a wealth of plant material along their shorelines.

[10]

Woodland streams and ponds, for example, comprise an assortment of ferns and lovely vibrant green mosses, making additional plantings unnecessary. These streams and ponds are also restful to the eye and virtually maintenance-free.

On the other hand, a more open water garden will be able to support a vast selection of moisture loving species. These water features provide the opportunity to create various shallow areas to place emergent plants such as Iris and Pickerel (Pontederia cordata), while in deeper areas, plants such as water lilies and even American Lotus (Nulumbo lutea) will thrive.

In the soil, close to the liner’s edge, pond foliage such as Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), Primulas, or Butterbur (Petasites) and various other herbaceous plants and woody species can be cultivated.

For a water feature to appear convincingly natural, it is important to keep in mind absolutely no construction materials should be visible. If necessary, cover any visible pond liner with soil or pebbles. A natural gravel mix from a glacial or riverbed is far better than a screened, single-size stone. Also ensure the backs and undersides of the rocks are not showing—a rock set deeply in the ground will seem far larger than one that is visible in its entirety.

The interior of the water feature should not be neglected either, as onlookers can often see below the water’s surface. Therefore, it is important to allow rocks, gravel and soil to continue towards the bottom of the water feature so one sees nothing but beautiful, natural forms beneath the surface. This creates the appearance of an underwater garden and a world of movement, life and reflecting light.

 

 

Anthony Archer-Wills is an international water garden designer specializing in water gardens, formal gardens, natural gardens and waterfalls and streams. He can be reached via e-mail at aaw@archerwills.com[11] or via his website, www.archerwills.com[12].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/creating-picturesque-natural-like-backyard-water-features/

---