Waterfall Landscaping Ideas: Add a Dramatic Element to Your Garden
There is no more powerful garden feature than a waterfall. Adding a waterfall to your garden can transform it into a serene, relaxing area. Waterfalls immediately make a greenspace into a soothing area for maximum comfort. The sounds of water flowing and smoothly cascading into a pool or pond adds luxury to your garden.
Waterfall landscaping is perfect for gardens of all sizes and even a small yard can host a gorgeous water feature. In fact, water features are great for smaller properties. They can increase the value of a home as they upgrade and improve the outside of a house.
So, how do you add a dramatic waterfall landscaping element to your garden?
Building the waterfall
There are two main parts of the waterfall and these are the areas you should concern yourself with in the beginning. The first part is the pool or pond in which the water will collect in. The second area of concern is the fall itself and the material in which the water will cascade down.
The great thing about building the fall is it can be inexpensive. You can find the rocks to build the waterfall in your own yard. By reusing rocks found on your property, you eliminate the need to buy material from a landscaping company.
A water pump is needed to recycle the water that descends down the rocks and into the pool. The water will continually recirculate giving you a gorgeous running waterfall 24/7.
Regardless of the size of your property, you can build a waterfall that fits into your garden. It is important to consider the size and shape of the garden before designing the waterfall. Building the water feature can be done DIY, but of course, you may need some guidance by hiring a trained landscaping expert.
It is good to make use of a slope or raised area in the garden. If the ground is level, you will need to build up an area that allows the waterfall to flow downward. Constructing a large outdoor waterfall in which you must build an artificial slope can take some time if you do it yourself. It can also be expensive as you acquire the materials to construct it.
After constructing the slope and pool, you must add a liner that allows the water to flow easily. Once this is in place, you can place large rocks around it to give the waterfall landscape a natural look. The rocks hold the liner in place and disguise it from guests in your garden.
What items do you need?
The great thing about waterfall landscaping is you can do it yourself. This can save you money, but it can take time. Therefore, you may decide to hire a professional landscaper to complete the job quickly. They will get it done right the first time.
Building a waterfall can be done cheaply based on the materials used. So, what items do you need?
- Rocks
- Submersible water pump
- Tubing from pump to waterfall
- Flower pot or other material to hide tubing
- Line
- Carpenter’s level
- Shovel
- Sand
- Garden hose
You can use rock from your own property, but prefabricated concrete can be used to replicate real rock and boulders. Although they may be more expensive, you can stack these to look great. They are also easy to use.
What to consider before building a waterfall
There are a few things to consider prior to building a waterfall.
- Location: Select a spot that is central to the garden that eyes are drawn to,
- Size: Consider the shape and plant life around it,
- Style: Create a waterfall that fits into the garden you already have,
- Water pump system: The pump must be powerful enough for the size of the waterfall,
- Landscaping: You may be able to add additional features to the area once the waterfall is complete,
- Rocks and fish: The rocks you use around the waterfall should help it blend in and look natural. You may also add fish to the pond to give it an even more natural feel,
- Lights: You can add light fixtures around the waterfall to enhance the experience and create a nighttime atmosphere,
- Safety: Safety is a huge concern and you may rethink installing a waterfall if you have small children, and
- Building codes: Before building it is wise to check with local government departments about building codes. In addition, you don’t want to dig up a gas line or powerline.
Adding waterfall landscaping to your garden can give you the serene, relaxing atmosphere you always wanted. It can also give your garden a whole new lease on life.
Ready to add a beautiful water feature to your home landscaping? Contact us today!