Garden Design Ideas with a Water Feature
Envision Landscape StudioThis small tract home backyard was transformed into a lively breathable garden. A new outdoor living room was created, with silver-grey brazilian slate flooring, and a smooth integral pewter colored concrete wall defining and retaining earth around it. A water feature is the backdrop to this outdoor room extending the flooring material (slate) into the vertical plane covering a wall that houses three playful stainless steel spouts that spill water into a large basin. Koi Fish, Gold fish and water plants bring a new mini ecosystem of life, and provide a focal point and meditational environment. The integral colored concrete wall begins at the main water feature and weaves to the south west corner of the yard where water once again emerges out of a 4” stainless steel channel; reinforcing the notion that this garden backs up against a natural spring. The stainless steel channel also provides children with an opportunity to safely play with water by floating toy boats down the channel. At the north eastern end of the integral colored concrete wall, a warm western red cedar bench extends perpendicular out from the water feature on the outside of the slate patio maximizing seating space in the limited size garden. Natural rusting Cor-ten steel fencing adds a layer of interest throughout the garden softening the 6’ high surrounding fencing and helping to carry the users eye from the ground plane up past the fence lines into the horizon; the cor-ten steel also acts as a ribbon, tie-ing the multiple spaces together in this garden. The plant palette uses grasses and rushes to further establish in the subconscious that a natural water source does exist. Planting was performed outside of the wire fence to connect the new landscape to the existing open space; this was successfully done by using perennials and grasses whose foliage matches that of the native hillside, blurring the boundary line of the garden and aesthetically extending the backyard up into the adjacent open space.
Eden Garden DesignA circular water feature surrounded by agaves, inland sea oats grass and silver woolly stemodia.
Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/
Accent LandscapesThis welcoming entry to the home also provides as a nice place to unwind and enjoy the sunset.
UserTHE LEMON TREE TRUST GARDEN
A garden inspired by the resilience, determination and ingenuity of refugees living in Domiz camp in Northern Iraq, was unveiled at the 2018 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The Lemon Tree Trust garden, designed with the input of refugees, highlighted the unexpected beauty hidden in the camp. The garden was designed to be used as a space to begin to organise the chaos inherent in forced migration, while also providing a sense of normality, wellbeing, peace and civility to broken lives.
Beautiful yet drought tolerant planting educated visitors about the type of plants refugees grow in the camp. Ingenious vertical planting, inspired by refugees’ use of everyday objects, and including input from refugees themselves, provided ideas for planting in limited spaces. Trees laden with fruit, including figs, lemons and pomegranates, provided scent and crops to harvest. Brutal, harsh materials, such as concrete and steel, widely available in the camps, were elevated with techniques such as polishing, casting and crafting into patterns and intricate Islamic inspired designs. Colourful and textural planting softened the hard materials. Cooling and calming water flowed throughout the space, collected in channels and pools, recycled and pumped back through the brimming central Islamic inspired fountain, representing the importance of grey water reuse and the many makeshift fountains refugees have built in their own gardens in Domiz camp.
Tom Massey progressed to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with a 10x13m Main Avenue garden, after two successful show gardens at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The garden was built by award winning contractor Landscape Associates and was awarded an RHS Silver-Gilt medal.
The Lemon Tree Trust supports the development of urban agriculture and greening innovation for refugees and displaced people, promoting food production, well-being and community: lemontreetrust.org
Photographs by Britt Willoughby Dyer
Landscape Projects, Inc.A simple bubbling water feature created from a millstone provides a soothing sound in the garden and attracts birds for the garden owner. © Melissa Clark Photography. All rights reserved.
Accent LandscapesThe use of ornamental grasses and basalt columns provide year round interest for this homes entry.
Coppercreek LandscapingThe hillside setting for this home affords great views, but also limits the space available to enjoy the outdoors. Removing a small brick patio and much of the lawn set the stage for a front yard transformation. A cedar pergola and wood-burning fireplace anchor the new paver patio and fit with the natural setting. A new water feature continues the theme, taking advantage of the natural slope to create a stunning landscape element that welcomes guests as they approach the house.
Lucas Fladzinski PhotographyPhotographer Lucas Fladzinski. Client MH Builders. Napa, CA. ©Lucas Fladzinski WWW.FLADZINSKI.COM Copyright strictly enforced
Garden Design Ideas with a Water Feature
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