The Placement of Outdoor Water Features
It is an inspiring hobby to touch and beautify the edge and margins of our water spaces on nature’s lines with the countless devices of horticulture. Such refinements of landscape gardening are, after all, the absolute result that is we strive for, for it is these seemingly minor things that set up a backyard for perfection. However, the warning should be reiterated that all sense of extreme effort and all fussiness should be avoided and simple and relatively large effects alone sought after.
Above all, any attempt to exhibit a variety of plant forms as horticultural curiosities is especially objectionable. Water used in the form of fountains should find no place on an estate or park except in the midst of some architectural development, among trees if possible, in a portico, a court, a plaza or esplanade, or in some stately garden in connection with buildings or homes. Waterfalls, cascades, garden fountains, and rapids that resound and trickle and murmur, and in so many ways delight the eye and ear, are desirable above most landscaping effects; but the attempt to produce such effects had better be limited to places where water features already exist, and dash and trickle of their own volition. A rock can be added here, and a plant there, or a shrub and tree, in order to greatly increase the attractions.
Water, plants, rocks, and soil can undoubtedly be gathered together in distinctly natural forms that will not insult the surrounding scenery by their incongruities, but it will be a difficult undertaking and should not be attempted except after due consideration and the full recognition that failure is quite likely, and that the work may have to be done over more than once.
Some examples of this ultimate landscaping goal of large water features include the following:
The view which shows a pool in Central Park on the West side near 77th Street might well be the moat of a feudal castle like that of Muskau, but its background which makes it so picturesque is simply the Southeast tower of the Natural History Museum. There is a winding path that goes down to the water for the benefit of horseback riders who may be passing on the path nearby.
The view of Durham Cathedral is somewhat familiar. The reason for its introduction is to show how much water adds to the value of the view of a noble building. The water-soaked margins of our ponds and lakes furnish a home for charming, fine foliage and flowering plants. Necessary variations of height and impressiveness are made and the lesser heights are as well, with irises or daffodils or the delicate water lily.
The question which we need to consider here is the way they should be used on the shores of the pools, on the edges of outdoor fountains, or along streams of the landscape picture in confined areas. With pools of water and arms of a lake or stream, there should be plenty of water surface left uncovered by planting. It is essential to permit the play of sunlight, the reflection of leaves and flowers in the water, and shadows on its surface. The principles of design are the same, if one will only pause to consider; whether it be a woodland grass patch in a recess, a stream, or a great park meadow with shrubs, trees, and fountains gallantly thrusting themselves forward in promontories with expanse and freedom of level space around them. It is all a matter of scale. The grouping of floral arrangements and majestic and elegant outdoor fountains is no doubt an undeniably soothing and inspiring sight.
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