Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
GARDENING Trickle treats
Trick ling, f l owing, splashing or simply sitting quietly, water works wonders in the garden. And I’m not talking about the stresses of blowing up the kids’ paddling pool or water pistol fights.
Introducing a water feature will add a sense of calm to your outdoor space. There is something incredibly soothing about the sound of it in the garden.
There’s no need for a huge pond filled with water lilies and stocked with Koi carp or goldfish, either. Smaller gardens in particular can be transformed by a fountain, water- fall or ornamental pool. They act like mirrors– reflecting light and creating an illusion of space.
Garden centres are full of brilliant, cost-effective features that bubble, trickle and delight. And it is easy enough to build your own.
Have a look online for ideas – you will be amazed by the range.
You can pick up battery or solar-powered fountains, pebble pools, waterfalls and cascades in an interesting selection of materials.
There are some lovely Japanese ones that use bamboo as water spouts and trickling towers.
Anything that can hold water will work sitting on the patio, near a dining area or among pot plants to add interest.
You can grow plants in and around the water and its very presence will encourage wildlife.
First, some basics to bear in mind when you are looking around your garden for the right location.
For water plants to grow well, they need a decent spot with at least six or seven hours of sunlight.
Try to avoid a sun trap – you will lose too much water to evaporation. Don’t go for fast- moving water if you want to grow plants as they won’t thrive.
Frost pockets are also out and try to keep features clear of overhanging trees whenever possible. You will save hours dredging out leaves. Poisonous plants such as yew and laburnum should also be avoided if you want fish.
When it comes to containers, the larger the space, the more water it will hold and the wider the range of plants you can enjoy.
And adding a dark lining, paint or pebbles into the bottom of a shallow water feature will add shadow and also give the appearance of depth.
Or a simple fountain from a battery-operated pump can be added to a small container or ornamental pond.
If you are strapped for space, a saucer-shaped container would make a brilliant fountain base because it contains the spray. And sunlight reflecting off the droplets looks amazing.
But keep the fountain in scale with the container, otherwise your patio will be permanently wet and you will encourage moss as well as slime.
Keep the pump off the bottom of the container t o p re v e n t it silting up or clogging with leaves and other debris.
Placing it on a tile or brick should suffice but secure it so it doesn’t move as it vibrates.
Containerised water features can be prone to freezing over the winter because they do not have any soil to insulate them.
Any moving parts should be cleaned – and possibly drained – in later autumn to avoid damage.