147 Garden design


Water - not just a feature but an essential


E


veryone is familiar with the phrase ‘water feature’ from count- less gardening programmes.


These give the impression that water is an optional extra in a garden. In my view it is not just a nice to have but a must have, in any garden, regard- less of size. It’s simply a question of design.


The inclusion of water into your


garden is perhaps the single most transformative element you can add. We are drawn to it no matter what its size or character. Its benefits are enormous for both us and wildlife.


One thing is certain - it will


attract wildlife no matter how small it is


Unless you are designing your garden from


scratch, then a pond will need to be retrofitted. The relationship between the pond and the rest of the garden needs careful consideration to ensure that it sits well in its location. The closer it is to the house the more formal it needs to be. Use geometric shapes to relate it to the architecture. Irregular, naturally shaped ponds look better further away from the house.


Ask yourself what role you would like the water to


fulfil. Do you want it to be formal or natural? Still or with sound and movement? Do you want plants? Or fish? Do you want to paddle, swim or just sit beside it?


Plan to have the largest size you can that will be in pro-


portion to its location. In an ideal world a pond should be about 10ft x 5ft and between 18 and 24 inches deep. This will keep the water at a stable temperature and be per- fect for growing aquatic and marginal plants. If you only have a tiny space then a perfectly functional mini-pond can be created in a water bowl. One thing is certain - it will attract wildlife no matter how small it is. Try to make


Make use of roof runoff Tiny pond


it as easy as possible for the creatures that come to get in and out of the water.


Even natural wildlife ponds will need some mainte-


nance to prevent them silting up so you will need to consider this when you are planning your pond. You may need to install a pump or filters and it is far simpler to do this during construction than afterwards. Green sludgy water might be great if you are a newt, but then newts are not known for their aesthetic sensibility.


Put your pond in the sunniest place you can, look after it and it will reward you with hours of fascination and pleasure.


colette@charsleydesign.com www.charsleydesign.com t: 01548 581753 m: 07774 827799 Follow me on Twitter @ColetteCharsley


Professional Landscape & Garden Design


Creative and beautiful designs for village, town and country gardens


Colette Charsley PG Dip OCGD t: 01548 581753 m: 07774 827799


colette@charsleydesign.com www.charsleydesign.com


by Colette Charsley One of the few


Use old animal troughs


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164