Water—just add water
Apart from being vital in keeping gardens alive, water
also plays a recreational and aesthetic role in garden design.
A precious and magical thing, water delights the senses and instills a resort-style aura of tranquility and calm in the garden. Pools and spas offer relaxation and recreation opportunities, and water features create an element of sound and movement.
Ironically, we invest so much energy channeling water off our properties via gutters, downpipes and drains, yet spend so much time making it the focal point of our designs. Finding ways to integrate both of these needs will make including water in your garden a much more sustainable option. With water such a precious commodity we are mad to let any drop go to waste!
Look out also for water features offering recirculating systems, minimum splash and evaporation. There are also wonderful tank variations to catch your roof water and they can fit into all those under-utilised areas of your home such as under the deck or against the side fence. Grey-water and sub-surface irrigation systems are also essential to consider, especially in hot, dry and drought-prone areas.
Some water options to consider in your garden are:
•
Pools—including in-ground, infinity edge, lap and plunge pools. See
pool feature and
product review
•
Spas—including built-in and freestanding and hot tubs
•
Water features—including rain chains, bowls, fountains, sculptural options and figures
•
Tanks—including underground, slimline, bladders and decorative features
•
Irrigation systems—including drip and sub-surface systems
• For more information and images see my book
The Source Book Second Edition
The
Patio by Jamie Durie range also includes a variety of water features and watering attachments.
