Water features, such as ponds and fountains, are popular garden design features that introduce a touch of Zen to your outside space. In addition to providing an ideal place for you to sit back and reconnect with nature, they also help to encourage wildlife such as frogs and bees to visit your garden. However, there are ways that you can develop your water feature in order to ensure that you are making the most of it. Considering this, here is everything you need to know about extending your water feature.
Choose the right aquatic plants
You no doubt recognise the classic image of water lilies floating on top of a pond. However, there are a huge range of aquatic plants for you to choose from, and some might in fact be more suitable for your water feature than others. Submerged aquatic plants, for instance, are a good option for ponds as they can help to clean the water due to their oxygenating properties; however, these same properties can cause fish to die if too many are planted, so make sure to include only three to four stems per metre of water.
Install a pond pump
Without regular cleaning, the water used in a water feature can quickly become dirty and stagnant. This will cause fish and other aquatic wildlife to die, as well as encouraging bacteria to grow. A pond pump will prevent your water feature from stagnating by regulating water flow, and they are suitable for all kinds of water features, from ponds to pools to fountains. They can also aid in cleaning by filtering and skimming the water surface, removing any debris and ensuring that your water feature remains clean and a safe haven for wildlife. Visit water-garden.co.uk for more information.
Add lighting
Adding aquatic and garden lighting creates a mysterious ambience and enables you to enjoy your water feature even when the sun has gone down. Strategically placed lighting will illuminate everything from water ripples to the flash of colourful fish, enabling you to enjoy a show you wouldn’t otherwise see in the daylight. Different types of aquatic lighting are available to suit your requirements. Low-voltage lighting, for instance, is simple and safe to install without extensive electrical knowledge. Additionally, you can choose from submerged, floating or fixed lights in a range of different colours to provide whatever underwater lighting effect you desire.
Create a haven for wildlife
One of the big draws of water features is that they encourage wildlife to visit your garden, with everything from frogs and newts to hedgehogs and foxes being attracted by running water. Help make your water feature even more of a haven for wildlife by adding certain features, such as a range of water-side plants to encourage insects and provide shelter. Sloping sides will help animals to get out if they have fallen in, and you might consider adding a net if you have fish in order to prevent them from becoming dinner for the neighbourhood cats.
