Where did Landscape Fountains Come From?

From the beginning, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water source, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the designer. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.

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 decorative. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.

Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for open spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational gatherings.

The Many Types of Exterior Fountains

Sending a stream of water straight into the air, spouting fountains create a striking impression. Large, existing ponds can have one of these incorporated without much difficulty. You may have encountered one of these in a park or an old mansion.

Wall fountains are an great illustration of outdoor wall features. Even with a small backyard, it is possible to put in one of these water features. Spouting fountains usually make quite an impact whereas wall features are more of a subtle type of water feature. In this straightforward process, water is ejected from a little spout, flows down a beautifully textured wall, before being received at the bottom and returned to the top once again.

Themed fountains are perfect when the style of your garden allows for them. In a rustic themed bungalow or yard, a traditional styled statue for your fountain could include cherubs holding the spout. think about installing something bolder and distinctive for a contemporary garden. Let your creativity run free to choose the best option.

The main characteristic of tiered fountains is the numerous levels spewing out water. Due to the water streaming down its multiple levels, these are also called cascading fountains.

A substantial amount of space is needed for an outdoor fountain, so another option is to install a wall fountain or a pondless fountain. These kinds of water features are suitable for an area with limited space because their reservoirs are buried underground.

Serenity and well-being are some of the key sensations imparted by Japanese fountains. Bamboo sticks are used in this sort of fountain to expel the water. The cycle of water flowing into a rustic-styled bucket or a shaped stone repeats itself again and again.

Another sort of fountain is made of glass. Providing a more classical look are trellis-style fountains which showcase shaped metalwork. Water features of this kind are an excellent option for gardens with many sharp edges as well as contemporary forms and design. As the water moves over the top of the glass it produces a dazzling impact. Colorful LED lights are also included in some fountains to illuminate the water as it progresses down the sheet of glass. Often made of imitation rock, stone waterfall fountains have water slowly trickling down its surface.

In a bubbling rock fountain, a big rock is drilled with openings and then filled in the center with tubes. The gurgles and bubbles at the top are the product of the low pressure used to propel the water upwards. The water returns gently trickling down the sides of the rock to get to its starting point. This is yet another option for gardens with limited space. The low pressure used in this sort of fountain hinders water from being spattered about in case of a windy day.

Solar driven fountains have become more fashionable recently because they run on sunlight. There are numerous reasons for this newly found interest such as the absence of cables, less difficulty in running them, a decrease in electricity bills, and the benefits to the environment. Outdoor solar-powered fountains are available in myriad varying styles, therefore, you will not have to compromise on which one to buy.