What types of garden fountains are there?

It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to design and implement a complete garden design, but the time and money spent can be well worth it if you spend a considerable amount of time relaxing, entertaining and working in your garden. When a water fountain is added to a garden, it changes it’s entire look and feel. What was at first a very ordinary garden can be transformed into an outdoor oasis. The sound of flowing water has a relaxing effect and it can also attract birds and other wildlife, changing the atmosphere entirely. A garden fountain also becomes a focal point of any backyard or garden.

Garden fountains are available in varying sizes, materials, and styles. They can be wall-mounted, tiered, disappearing, or freestanding.  This article focuses on the function and use of 5 different types of fountains.

Tiered Fountain

This is a very popular form of  garden fountain , particularly in the Mediterranean where they can often be found in courtyards and plazas. A tiered  fountain  can be designed in a simple form or a more complex one with elaborate carvings, mouldings and other ornamentation. The water  is pumped up to the top of the outdoor  fountain  through the core and then cascades down over the tiers to the bottom reservoir where it is recirculated.

Disappearing Fountain

This water feature is also known as a pondless fountain. The water reservoir in this type is hidden beneath the ground. This feature looks good when it is positioned close to a patio or path, as it adds an attractive appearance and sound to the area. Popular styles include millstones, ceramic urns, granite columns, and natural looking waterfalls, among others.

The lack of open pond or reservoir means that it is a safe choice for a garden if children are going to be present, but it also uses less water than other fountains since the water below ground does not evaporate. It also requires less space which makes it suitable for small patios and back gardens and it does not need much maintenance since debris and leaves cannot get into the reservoir, and the sun cannot cause algae to grow.

Japanese Fountain

Every Japanese garden has a water fountain. It symbolizes spiritual and physical cleansing and therefore, they are located at the entrance of a Japanese temple or home. Japanese fountains typically have simple designs, with the focus on the water rather than the basin.

A water fountain with a bamboo spout can be installed. Water trickles from this bamboo spout into the basin of the fountain, which is usually made from stones. It should have jagged edges and should look old and weathered down by outdoor elements. This fountain typically appears to be in harmony with nature, hence, it is installed among rocks and surrounded by evergreen plants and ferns.

Wall Fountain

A  wall fountain looks perfect in a courtyard or a small patio as it gives the sense of relaxation. This fountain does not take up too much space and can be customized to fit on a particular wall. It requires a spout, water basin, internal tubing, and a pump. It can be either freestanding or mounted. Its styles include traditional, modern, antique or Asian.

A freestanding wall fountain, also known as floor fountain, is usually quite large. The basin of this water fountain is placed on the ground.

Self-Contained Fountain

This type of wall fountain is simple and easy to install and maintain. The materials used to make this type of garden fountain can include cast stone, ceramic, metal, fibreglass, and so on. They contain all the necessary parts that are required to function, including the plumbing and the pump.

They can also be self-contained in terms of having their own water reservoir, avoiding needing to be placed close to a water source. The only external component they may require is a powersource which can be provided via a solar panel, batteries, electrical outlet, and so on.