Modern Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings

Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. 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 19th century, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Serving as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also supplied clean, fresh drinking water. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller depictions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries manufactured 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.

Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.

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

Exterior Water Features Come in Many Forms and Sizes

The magnificence of a spouting fountain can be observed when it sends a stream of shooting water into the air. Large, existing ponds can have one of these incorporated without much trouble. You can find these in public recreational areas or old mansions.

Wall fountains are an excellent illustration of outdoor wall features. Even with a small backyard, it is feasible to add one of these water features. Wall fountains are not flamboyant water features when compared with a spouting fountain. In this straightforward process, water is ejected from a little spout, runs down a beautifully textured wall, before being received at the bottom and returned to the top once again.

Putting in a fountain with a motif depends completely on the style of your garden. Consider a classic type of statue, such as a cherub supporting a spout, for the fountain if your home or garden is rustic in style. Modern gardens, on the other hand, benefit from something more adventurous. Let your imagination run free to choose the best option.

Water spills down multiple levels in a tiered fountain. Cascading fountains is another expression used to identify this type of fountain because water streams down multiple levels.

The space needed for an outdoor fountain can be extensive, therefore, a better alternative is to install a wall fountain or a pondless fountain. Since the reservoirs necessary for these kinds of fountains are hidden below the ground, you can make the most of the room at your disposal.

If you seek a feeling of serenity and calmness, put in a Japanese fountain as these are believed to bring about such sensations. Bamboo sticks are utilized in this type of fountain to expel the water. A rustic bucket or shaped stone is positioned at the bottom of this feature to collect the flowing water only to have the cycle repeated over and over again.

Glass fountains make up a different group of fountain. Producing a more classical appearance are trellis-style fountains which showcase shaped metalwork. However, this style of water feature is better suited to gardens with many sharp corners as well as contemporary forms and design. As the water flows over the surface of the glass it produces a dazzling effect. In some cases, the water is colored by LED lights as it flows down the glass panels. A rock waterfall fountain (often made of imitation rock) showcases water gently flowing down its façade.

In a bubbling rock fountain, a big rock is drilled with holes and then filled in the middle with tubes. Low pressure is used to push up the water which then bubbles and gurgles at the top. Downward flowing water appears as soft trickle as it moves down the sides of the rock to go back to its base. Little gardens are ideal for this sort of fountain. The low pressure used in this sort of fountain prevents water from being spattered about in case of a windy day.

Solar fountains have recently gained in popularity because they are powered by the sun. There are numerous reasons for this newly found appeal such as the absence of cables, less difficulty in running them, a decrease in electricity bills, and the benefits to the environment. There is no need to settle on a specific model of outdoor solar-powered fountain because of the wide variety of styles found on the market.