Have Landscaping Needs?: Water Garden Landscaping Ideas

A Sloping Stream

A cacophony of colors and materials decorates the outlines of a stream.

A variety of visually-interesting materials and plants, including a weeping willow and variously sized boulders, move the eye from the top of the gentle slope downward.
Large, flat boulders do double duty, edging the pond and providing a wide enough spot for an informal path.
A few dwarf evergreens add year-round structure among the brightly colored lilies and black-eyed Susans.
Groundcovers and water plants, including water lilies, soften the otherwise hard edges of the pond's rocky border
A gentle curve cut out of the walkway mimics the outlines of the pond.

A water feature set into a sloping corner offers traditional style.

Distinctive hardscape, including stone steps and a geometric paved landing, lend an air of formality to this elegant waterfall.
Urns overflowing with bright purple lobelia and red double impatiens soften the water's edges.
While many garden water elements feel natural, this pool was designed to contrast with the lushly planted landscape around it.
The rich hues of ivy, lacecap hydrangea, ornamental grass, and pigsqueak warm the cool tones of the waterfall's stonework.

A series of spheres supplies structure to a minimalist water feature. A gravel path from the house ends at a gently bubbling pond.

Plants echo the shape of hardscape. Here, liriope encircles the small pond.
Repetition is a key design element to this water landscape; multiple circles tie everything together.
The continuation of the path around the pond maintains circulation through the garden.
In place of a stationary pool of water, a bubbling base in the pool offers water movement.

A pretty water feature livens up a small slice of yard.

Intricate trelliswork complements the elegance of the fountain and sculpture.
Gentle curves at the edge of the fountain soften the hardscape edges.
A pair of myrtles, grown in topiary form, adds a splash of fun to the garden. Their rounded shapes echo the curves in the lattice and water basin.
Containers set at the fountain's edge pick up the colors and foliage of the surrounding plantings.
Shade-loving begonias and caladium in colors that warm the cool gray stonework nestle close to the small-scale fountain.

A restful landscape includes an expansive pond.

A bench, chair, and table offer a quiet alcove overlooking the expansive lily pond.
An arched bridge takes garden visitors over the water below.
Lighting can be an unobtrusive element when its shape and materials complement the rest of the landscape; here, a few lanterns light the way across the bridge.
Large and small boulders tumble and flit in and out of the pond's edges
Movement in water and elements on the surface offer visual interest to water features. Here, water lilies bloom and a small stream cascades into the larger pond.

A dense mix of evergreens and shade-loving plants creates a richly sculpted landscape around a backyard pond.

A dense planting of reliable arborvitae serves as a year-round softscape fence.
A garden with several vantage points offers multiple areas for enjoyment; this landscape can be viewed from up on the deck or down closer to the water feature.
A series of stacked boulders in varying sizes offers a naturalist edging for the waterfall and pond.
Extending from the lower seating area, a few flagstones jut over the boulders for a third garden outlook spot.
Paths and water features are easy elements to utilize to conquer slopes, and water features another. This cascading water feature tumbles gently over boulders and a series of flagstone steps before ending in a pond.

LandXscapes- Landscaping