Modern Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings

Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water source, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Artists thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and celebrate the designer responsible for creating it. Roman fountains usually depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts arrived in the city of Rome

Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.

Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.

Caring For Outdoor Water fountains

Generally, when you purchase an outdoor wall fountain, it will come in an easy-to-use kit that will include all the information needed to install it properly. The kit will include a submersible pump, the hoses and basin (or reservoir). The basin, if it's not too big, can easily be hiddenin your garden among the plants. Once installed, wall fountains typically only require some light upkeep and regular cleaning.

Replenishing and cleaning the water on a consistent basis is very important. Leaves, branches or dirt are types of debris which should be cleared away quickly. Excessively cold temperatures can damage your outdoor wall fountain so be sure to protect it during the winter months. If left outdoors, your pump could split as a result of freezing water, so bring it inside during the winter. Simply put, your outdoor fountain will be around for many years with the proper care and maintenance.