It is well known that running
water can help you to relax. A garden fountain can help to add
beauty to your backyard and provide a centerpiece to your
gardening and landscaping. It will also enhance the peace and
tranquility in your garden.
Choosing a fountain isn't always
easy. There is a wide range of fountains available, from
inexpensive molded plastic fountains to expensive carved stone
garden fountains. With such a wide range, it can be difficult to
find one to fit your garden and your budget. You'll want to
choose a fountain that enhances your garden and backyard, and
will last for many years.
The low-end molded plastic
fountains simply will not last for a long time. Plastic
fountains are difficult to clean when dirty, and they will crack
over time. They are inexpensive options for a garden fountains,
but you will find yourself replacing a cheap plastic fountain
every few years when they break. A plastic fountain won't give
you a long lasting centerpiece to your garden.
The more expensive carved stone
fountains will last a long time, and make a stunning centerpiece
to your yard. However, they are expensive, and may not fit your
budget. Some also need a lot of maintenance, and they are heavy
and hard to move.
A good choice for a garden
fountain would be a mid-range fountain. These fountains are
often made of poly resin, or a stone and resin mix. They are
affordable, and will stand up to the weather very well. These
fountains are also much lighter, and easier to handle than
stone, while retaining the look and feel of stone.
Be sure to choose a water
feature that fits your environment. If you live in a climate
with drastic changes in the weather from season to season,
you'll want a fountain that can withstand the weather, or that
you can store easily in the winter. Stone fountains are not easy
to move, due to their weight, and the changes in weather may
cause them to crack.
When you choose your fountain,
you'll also want to consider the pump and the water capacity.
Low-end fountains may not hold very much water, or pump very
much water. The more expensive fountains will have a stronger
pump which can move more water, which will look much better. A
fountain that pumps 5 gallons per minute should be sufficient to
provide an appealing stream of water. A weaker pump will not
pump enough water to provide a visually appealing fountain.
You need to consider where you
are going to place your fountain. You'll need electricity to run
the pump, so it should be close enough to an electrical outlet.
Fountains equipped with a standard 120v connection can simply be
plugged into a standard outlet. Your fountain should also be
close enough to a water supply, so you can top it off easily as
the water evaporates.
Another consideration as far as
location, is the visual impact of the fountain. Do you want to
see it from your patio, or do you want it tucked into a remote
corner. Sometimes placing a fountain at the end of a garden
path, tucked into a remote corner of the garden will help to add
to the relaxing effect of the fountain. You may also want to
consider placing several small fountains throughout the garden,
to provide accents here and there.
The proper fountain, properly
placed will help to enhance the tranquility of your backyard, as
well as adding a nice visual accent to your garden.