Beautify Your Backyard with a Garden Fountain

Outdoor garden fountains have become the rage in landscape decorating in recent years. Frequently modeled on ornate French and Italian garden fountains, as well as those in the old mansions of the wealthy, today's fountains are available to everyone. The appearance of a fountain can be as ornate as a Baroque sculpture or as quiet and unpretentious as a piece of Zen art. Prices range from thousands of dollars to less than one hundred. Most fountains are mass-produced and a myriad of products are used to form them. The most unusual, and most expensive, are the handmade fountains produced by artists.

Garden fountains and landscape waterfall retailers have sprung up everywhere, and there are thousands of dealers, manufacturers and artists producing these landscape water features. Using recirculating water pumps, some fountains simply spray water into the air and then allow it to fall back into the reservoir, resulting in splashing sounds. Others pump water to the top of a series of cascading bowls or jugs, providing the sound of running water as the water runs down from top to bottom.

The desire for garden fountains has probably risen from the search for natural and beautiful ways to relieve stress. The sound of water dripping, splashing, or falling is one which lulls most people, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility. Placed perhaps in the midst of a flower garden or nestled into shrubs, the pleasant sound of a garden fountain provides a barrier to street noise as well as a sculptural interest in the garden.

The materials used to make fountains include concrete, fiberglass, terra cotta, ceramic, resin, slate, copper and even granite. In order to keep minerals in the water from depositing scale on a fountain, the water should be treated with anti-white scale water treatment. The undesirable growth of algae can also occur in fountains unless the water is treated with an anti-algae agent.

Fountains usually require an electrical outlet in order for the water pump to work, but recently a solar powered pump has been designed for fountains. The solar power eliminates the need to place a fountain in near proximity to an electrical outlet, giving greater freedom in designing an outside garden. They do not produce noise from the pump and because they haven't any electrical cords, they are safer for pets and children.

Lights can be added to an outdoor fountain for drama and nighttime viewing. LED or halogen lights can be installed as part of the fountain, or set up to shine onto the fountain. There are even colored disks, which can be added for more dramatic effects. Foggers, which create a mist, can be also installed in the fountain in order to create an aura of mystery in the garden.

Once a garden fountain is installed, it must be maintained to assure many seasons of functionality. Manufacturers suggest cleaning a fountain every 4-6 months. This entails cleaning the pump and changing the water. Some fountains have a pullout plug for drainage of water, but in others, water must be siphoned or pumped out. Good maintenance will ensure many years of enjoyment from a garden fountain.