Garden Water Fountains for a Pool or Patio

Water features in general, and fountains in particular are among the most popular elements in garden design. They come in a huge variety of sizes and designs from ornate tiered fountains to simple pond fountains throwing up a small spray of water. Many fountains are incorporated in a garden pool, but self contained fountains may stand alone as a patio fountain, or on a lawn or drive. Rainwater tanks are also used for storing water and that’s the best thing.

Specialist companies like Henri and Kinsman produce a wide range of different designs, but in many cases it is quite simple to create an attractive and individual design of your own with little more than a water container and a garden fountain pump. The principle types of fountain are described below.

Simple Spray Fountains

Most submersible electric water pumps are sold with a small selection of fountain spray heads. The pump is simply placed in a water garden pool, or a barrel or other self contained water reservoir, with the spray head set just above the water surface.

Depending on the spray head selected, the pump will through up a simple geyser of water, a patterened spray, or in some cases a bell or dome shaped cascade of water. The height of the jet will depend on the capacity of the pump, and when choosing a pump it is always better to install a larger size and restict the flow of water than rely on an underpowered pump which will inevitably give disappointing results.

Tiered Fountains

These again may be self contained, or stand in a garden pool or pond. Some designs consist simply of two or three tiers, with the water cascading down from the top tier into the pool or reservoir below. In others the water cascades out of a piece of statuary or urn standing on the top tier. The capacity of the pump is critical to ensure that an adequate flow of water is produced at the top of the fountain.

Cascade Fountains

These too may be self contained as in barrel fountains, or stand in a garden pool or pond. The water is led from the pump to gush out of an urn or other piece of ornamental statuary and cascade back into the pool.

Garden Wall Fountains

Wall fountains are a very popular variation on the cascade and may be free standing, or set in a house or garden wall above a pool or reservoir. The pump is mounted in the reservoir and directs the water to gush out of a hole in the wall, normally though a carved head or gargoyle. The lion’s head fountain is one of the most frequently seen.

Pebble Fountains

A pebble fountain consists simply of a pump and fountain spray head set in the bottom of a barrel or other water container, which is then filled up to the level of the spray head with ornamental pebbles or cobbles, normally 3-5 inches in diameter. The spray from the fountain then splashes down onto the pebbles before draining back into the container.

Since there is no open water in a fountain of this type, pebble fountains are particularly suitable where there is concern over the safety of young children. Since the water capacity is normally quite small, pebble fountains can easily run dry unless carefully sited and regularly checked.

Solar Powered Garden Fountains

In cases where it is difficult to provide a high voltage electrical supply to power a fountain, the answer may be a solar fountain, although these are only at present powerful enough for smaller fountains.

The solar panel may be set into the pump itself, often a floating pump which is simply placed in the pool. Alternatively, the solar panel may be placed beside the pool or reservoir from where a low voltage electrical supply feeds the pump.

Siting Your Garden Fountain

Electricity and water are a potentially dangerous combination. Always site any garden fountain where it can be safely connected to a properly installed weatherproof electrical supply, and ensure that all cables are properly protected. If in doubt consult a qualified electrician.

Wind can carry the spray from a fountain away from the pond or container, quickly depleting the water supply. Always ensure that the fountain is sited where the spray falls safely back into the pool or container, and ideally in a spot sheltered from winds.