The idea of creating a garden in a particular style is not something that appeals to everyone, but it can be a lot of fun, especially when you introduce water into the garden in the form of ponds, fountains, streams and formal pools.
Even though it may not at first be obvious, garden design is subject to the dictates of fashion, and popular approaches to both gardens and gardening do change from time to time. Today the most popular trends involve waterwise gardening and an indigenous approach. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t a place for fish ponds. On the contrary, since water in the garden helps to establish a really good, solid balance of nature, this makes gardening worthwhile and encourages the addition of water features. And since most ponds recirculate water all the time (provided of course there is a pump in the water), there is no fear that water will be wasted. It also doesn’t mean that style itself will be limited. Pretty well any style can be adapted to the current trend.
When it comes to the pond itself, you can follow a traditional, even antiquated style, and still have the benefits of the very latest fish pond supplies, including pumps and filters that will ensure your pond water stays clean and clear all year round.
Here are a few ideas that may help you create a garden – and a fish pond – to suit a traditional style.
Japanese styleStrictly speaking there is more than one type of Japanese style, including one that imitates the classical stroll gardens that had huge lakes and bridges. But the one most imitated today is the much simpler traditional Japanese style, with its raked sand or gravel, and stones and rocks. Even without water, this style will include “rivers”, often made by laying round river stones to simply create the impression of a river or stream.
But the Japanese as a people, do value the tranquility of water and they often include ponds in their gardens, however small the garden may be. Water-worn pebbles are often placed around the pond and simplicity is the key. There may also be just a few carefully chosen rocks placed near to the pond, grouped to symbolize important qualities of strength and stability.
Mediterranean styleThe Mediterranean-style garden evokes striking images of courtyards with whitewashed walls, bright pink and purple bougainvillaea and red geraniums planted in terracotta pots, and tiled patios with pools and splashing fountains that seem to cool the hot summer air. The style emerges more from the climate than from the people themselves, and can be found in all the Mediterranean countries, including Spain, Portugal and Greece.
The classical Mediterranean garden was rather formal, with a geometric layout and usually dead-straight canals dividing the area into four. Water was also common in the later Moorish courtyards, with at least one pond being the order of the day.
In today’s Mediterranean-style garden, a pond should be reasonably formal, possibly raised, and preferably located on a patio or courtyard, rather than in the garden itself. Terracotta tiles and gravel around the pond will add to the look, as will bougainvillaea and geraniums.
European styleThis is essentially a classical look that imitates the grand gardens of France and Italy during the Renaissance that often featured monumental fountains and incredible water features. However today, gardens of this genre are created on a much smaller scale.
Since the great French and Italian gardens were based on distinctly geometric (and therefore formal) designs, this is a prerequisite. Fountains are also essential, and they should include statuary. You can either position these in the pond itself or somewhere else on the patio or in the garden.
Related posts
- Turn Your Garden Into a Get-Away
- Gardening Design on a Budget
- Outdoor Fireplace Safety Tips
- Lowering Energy Bills With Lawn Landscaping
- Solar Garden Lights In Landscape Lighting
- Tips For Buying Garden Furniture
- Designing Garden Ponds
- Water Garden Landscaping Tips
- Modern Garden Design - Artistic Chaos Or Design?
- Home Landscaping Ideas to Add Value to Your Home
- Decorate With Stone Garden Furniture
- Water Gardens
- 7 Tips for Narrow Gardens - from a South African
- The Basics to Herb Garden Designs
- Small Garden Design Ideas - Introduction
- Paving Your Landscape
- What Are Hard Landscaping Materials?
- How to Build Steps in Your Garden
- Japanese Garden Design Is Quite Simple If You Do This
- How to Build a Stone Outdoor Fireplace
- French Garden Design - A Formal Approach to Gardening
- A Few Things About Garden Paving
- Desert Landscape Designs Require Less Water
- Growing a Rock Garden - Planning, Design and Imagination
- How To Design A Japanese Garden
- Excellent Bonsai for Beginners - The Hawaiian Umbrella Tree
- Wonderful Japanese Garden Ideas
- Mediterranean-style gardens: Design advice
- Small and Simple - Water Garden Ideas
- Liven Up Your Garden With A Fountain - Tips For Choosing Your Water Fountain Pump
