Pond: landscape design of a pond and other water forms with examples and photos

Any, even the most ordinary site, becomes exquisite and interesting if a small pond or waterfall is created on it. And, as it turned out, everyone can add such a "pearl". With a little effort, your hacienda becomes the envy of everyone you know.

Nowadays, the reservoir has become an indispensable attribute of landscape design.

Place for a pond

This is the first thing to think about. Take into account the illumination of the site, the soil and the relief, as well as the general style of the area being made out.

Water is always eye-catching, so the backdrop for the pond should be attractive

An unsightly old fence is not the best backdrop for a garden pond.

Ideally, the site on which it is planned to equip the reservoir should be illuminated during the day for no more than 6 hours. If the pond is constantly exposed to sunlight, this will inevitably lead to rapid algae growth and water bloom.

A beautiful pond can be arranged even on a small plot

On a large area, you can make both a pond and a swimming pool

When deciding on the soil and relief, give preference to a place that remains wet for the longest time after rain, let it be a lowland.

The reservoir is simply obliged to complement the general style of the site, and not argue with it. Another important point: do not set up a pond near high-growing greenery, as in this case it will be constantly covered with a layer of leaves, seeds or flowers. In addition, tree roots can damage the base of the pond. So, such a neighborhood is not the best option.

The location of an artificial reservoir depends on the purpose for which it is created.

If the garden pond will be a decoration of the site, it must be located in the most conspicuous place

Well, if your plans include a pond with live fish, then you need to make it as pleasant as possible for their habitation.

Another important detail: it is better if the pond is visible from the window of your house or from a gazebo in the yard. And if you place it at the entrance to the site, then it will become a worthy business card. By the way, it will not be superfluous to think about what will be reflected in the mirror surface. In no case should these be outbuildings, otherwise the impression of the reservoir will be hopelessly spoiled.

The pond fits perfectly into any landscape style solution

For a Japanese-style garden, a pond is its hallmark.

The pond looks no less attractive on a site decorated in a modern style.

Never stop there. Plan the location of the reservoir so that if you want, you can easily expand it, or slightly change its shape. Leave free space on at least one side.

When designing a water structure, be guided by the law of similarity. For example, if there are stones on the site, then their texture and color must be repeated on the banks of the reservoir

When decorating the shores of an artificial reservoir, do not abuse decor and accessories.

Types of reservoirs

To begin with, let's figure out for what purposes they most often equip a pond on a site:

• Small. Modest in size and investment, a spectacular part of the suburban area. It's nice to read a book next to him or just think about your own.
  

  The size of the reservoir must be correlated with the surrounding space

• Decorative. It is larger than a small body of water. Usually has additional lighting or a small fountain. It is equipped with an openwork bridge and a spectacular border. Most often, such reservoirs are located near a gazebo or an open terrace.
  

  For decorative illumination of the water surface, the lamps are placed along the banks and at the bottom of the reservoir.

• For fish farming. This option is larger than the previous ones. It is worth noting that fish can be both decorative and for food. The main thing is not to forget to take care of them, and control the conditions of their habitation.
  

  A fish pond requires constant maintenance

• For swimming. Obviously, such a body of water is impressive in size. You should also think about a comfortable descent to the water.
  

  You can try to combine two in one and make a bathing pond

Now let's see what decorative reservoirs are in the landscape:

• Waterfall. Favorite variety of the water source. The noise of the descending flows acts as a relaxation.
  

  The waterfall will become a spectacular structure if it is correctly integrated into the landscape.

• A cascade is a series of combined waterfalls. Compared to the previous one, this decorative element is softer and quieter.
  

  A cascading waterfall - an idea for lots with a large enough area

• Source - ideally a trickle or spring. It is not difficult to effectively design such a water element, everything that is at hand will do: from old jugs to large boulders. By the way, it is the source that is considered a universal option for any style of landscape design.
  

  The best solution would be to decorate the spring in a natural style.

• Swamp. As strange as it may sound, a small swamp can decorate a suburban area.
  

  When choosing plants for a pond, strive to imitate nature

• A mini-pond is an ideal solution when the site is small, and you really want to create your own lake on it. For this option, an old bathtub or a purchased reservoir for a reservoir is suitable. That is to say, at a minimum cost, an effective landscape element is obtained.
  

  A small pond in a bowl - the best solution for a small area

• Fountain. This is the most expensive element of landscape design, but at the same time, the most effective one. The jets throw water in different directions and with different strengths, creating bizarre shapes out of water streams.
  

  The ideal place for a fountain is a geometric pool

A little about style ...

Professional designers claim that the reservoir can be made only in two versions: formal or landscape. All the rest are small varieties. Let's take a closer look:

• Formal body of water. Everything here is very clear already from the name: the reservoir has a clear shape, so it is not surprising that such ponds complement high-tech, minimalist or modern landscapes. By the way, the correct shape is not necessarily selected. In addition to rectangular, square or oval ponds, there are also broken outlines, which, in turn, are subdivided into symmetrical and asymmetric. In this case, the design of the pond is extremely strict: neutral colors and a minimum of decorative elements.
  

  Formal pond has a strict geometric shape

• Landscape is more common than the first option. This body of water looks more like a natural pond. By the way, it is thanks to the landscape “models” that the balance between living nature and its artificial addition can be maintained.
  

  Naturalness is the main feature of a landscape reservoir

Simple guidelines

If you are going to create a body of water for the first time in the landscape of the site, heed the tips that will help you avoid mistakes and disappointments.

1. The lower point of the reservoir is "determined" below the freezing point of the earth. This rule is especially true when you plan to breed live fish in a pond. In this case, your pets will not die.
2. Keep track of the degree of greening of the pond, it should not exceed 50% of the total area. Consider the fact that plants have the ability to grow.
3. The right time to start organizing a reservoir is spring. Having started planning and arrangement from the first warm days, you are guaranteed to have time to do everything before the end of the warm season, and plants and fish (if any) will have time to take root.
4. If you can't imagine your pond without a fountain - create a tall body of water. Only in this case the fountain will look harmonious.
5. Get rid of excess plants in time and remove branches and foliage from the surface of the water. An ordinary landing net is suitable for this purpose.

Of course, creating a reservoir in a suburban area is not the easiest task, but you can do it. Today there are a lot of ready-made containers for a pond and a huge number of useful recommendations.

Whichever reservoir you choose for your site, the main thing is that you like the result

So go for it! And let your pond - the pearl of a suburban area - become a source of positive emotions not only for you, but also for your loved ones.

Video: Do-it-yourself pond for little money

Photos of examples of garden ponds design