Modern Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Beginnings

Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the designer responsible for creating it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.

Urban fountains made at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.

Modern fountains are used to adorn public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.

Exterior Fountains Come in Lots of Shapes and Sizes

Sending a stream of water straight into the air, spouting fountains create a striking impression. If your pond is significantly large, it can be incorporated without hassle. You can find these in community parks or old mansions.

Choose a fashionable wall fountain to put outside. If you are eager to include a water feature, but are concerned because you have a small yard, do not hesitate to install one of these. While spouting fountains produce an impressive effect, wall fountains are rather understated water features. In this simple process. the water which is forced out of a small opening, moves down a beautifully textured wall and is then collected at the base before being pumped back to the top.

Putting in a fountain with a motif depends completely on the style of your garden. A cherub grasping a spout is one of the possible types of classical-styled statues you can use if you want your fountain to compliment a rustically themed cottage or garden. Something unique and bold could be an option for more modern gardens. Deciding what to do is completely in your hands.

Tiered fountains are unique because the water runs down multiple levels. Cascading fountains is another name used to identify this type of fountain because water streams down multiple levels.

The space necessary for an outdoor fountain can be extensive, therefore, a better alternative is to install a wall fountain or a pondless fountain. Install one of these fountains if your space is limited since their reservoirs are hidden from sight underground.

Tranquility and well-being are some of the chief sensations imparted by Japanese fountains. Bamboo sticks act as the tubing from which water flows in these kinds of water features. Water then flows into a container or a shaped stone, only to repeat the cycle over and over again.

One of the many styles of fountain available is the glass fountain. A more traditional look is provided by trellis-style fountains which showcase shaped metalwork. Water features such as these are ideal for yards with many sharp corners as well as modern-day forms and designs. The water produces a dazzling effect when it streams down the surface of the glass. Some fountains also include colored LED lights to shine onto the sheets of glass as water cascades downwards. Often made of imitation rock, rock waterfall fountains have water slowly trickling down its surface.

In a bubbling rock fountain, a big rock is drilled with holes and then filled in the middle with pipes. The gurgles and bubbles at the top are the product of the low pressure used to propel the water upwards. Downward flowing water appears as soft dribble as it moves down the sides of the rock to return to its base. This is yet another possibility for gardens with limited space. Water is moved at low pressure in this type of fountain, so you can rest assured that it will not spray all over should the wind pick up.

Powered by sunlight, solar fountains are growing to be rapidly trendy. There are numerous reasons for this newly found interest such as the absence of cables, less difficulty in running them, a reduction in electricity bills, and the advantages to the environment. Outdoor solar-powered fountains are available in a multitude of different styles, therefore, you will not have to compromise on which one to purchase.