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Landscape design for ponds and water gardens has become a popular part of modern outdoor living space. Water features are calming, elegant, and add a natural element to your garden design. From trickling streams to rushing waterfalls, the tranquility of moving water creates a relaxing atmosphere and an inspirational view for your yard as well.

Whether your yard reflects a formal garden style, a contemporary design, or a charming country garden, there are an array of possibilities for including water features in the design. These simple steps will help you plan a waterscape that complements your home and blends with your overall landscape design.

Determine the purpose of your waterscape. There are many different ways to use water within your outdoor space. Garden ponds can be used for fish, including koi, or can be designed simply for enjoyment. A waterfall can be designed as a rustic addition to an informal garden or an elegant highlight in a more formal landscape. Fountains and streams can be designed to suit your outdoor theme as well. Choose the best location for your water features. There are many different things to consider when selecting the best place in your yard to install a water garden. If you are planning a new landscape design, it will be easier to incorporate your water features but you can integrate a waterscape into your existing garden just as easily with a little extra planning. Consider a location that: Is level and drains easily to avoid flooding. Is easy to clean and maintain. An area with pathways around the water garden and accessible storage is ideal. Receives the right amount of sunlight for the plants and animals within your water garden. Provides an unobstructed view from terraces or sitting areas. The best landscape design for ponds blends each aspect of the waterscape into the overall look and feel of the outdoor space. An area free of overhanging limbs will minimize cleaning but colorful plant life around the pond creates a beautiful reflection. Determine the best size and shape for your pond. Water gardens can be a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on their purpose, their location within your landscape, and the amount of space available. Some neighborhood associations have regulations in place regarding water depths, often requiring a fence for water deeper than 18 inches, but a Koi pond is often as deep as 5 feet. A typical garden pond is 18 to 24 inches deep, usually no deeper than 3 feet, and should have a minimum of 50 square feet of surface space. The shape of your pond will be influenced by your overall garden style. Formal landscape designs benefit from the lines and angles of a rectangular pond, while informal gardens are complemented by circular, curving . Design your waterscape with the complete landscape style in mind, paying close attention to the proportionality of the features in regards to other accessories and structures in the yard. Build your waterscape. The most common way to build a garden pond is using a prefabricated shell. These shells and liners are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are typically simple to install. The dirt in the area must be dug up and moved from the location and should allow for the size of the pond, as well as the border. Use materials found in other areas of your outdoor space to create edging around the pond. Wood, stones, and brick are all popular choices. Select appropriate flowers and water plants for your design as well.

Because of the many details involved in landscape design for ponds, many homeowners choose to leave the planning and the installation to a professional landscape designer. Whether you do it yourself or , a well designed waterscape will be a relaxing and beautiful addition to your garden.

Allen Quay is a professional landscape designer in the Southern California area and specializes in custom high-end landscape designs. You can find more valuable landscape design tips and information on Allen's website, the Landscape Design Advisor: