Where did Garden Water Fountains Come From?

Pure practicality was the original role of fountains. 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 19th, century most water fountains operated using 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. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. 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. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.

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

Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.

Exterior Wall Fountains: The Many Styles Available

There are two distinct styles of fountains you can buy: mounted and stand-alone. You can install a mounted wall fountain because they are small and self-contained. Ordinarily made of resin (to resemble stone) or fiber glass, these types of fountains are lightweight and easy to hang. Floor fountains are freestanding, large, and also have a basin on the ground as well as a flat side against the wall. There are no weight limits on these types of cast stone water features.

It is a good idea to incorporate a customized fountain into a new or existing wall, something often recommended by landscape professionals. The basin and all the necessary plumbing are best installed by a qualified mason. A fountain mask or a spout also needs to be incorporated into the wall. If you want a cohesive look for your garden, get a customized wall fountain because it becomes part of the scenery rather than an afterthought.