Add water to your landscape for soothing sounds and a pretty accent to your flowers and greenery.
Options range from sculptural, like a fountain, to natural, like a stream or pond.
Use this guide to outdoor water features to determine the best key in for your yard.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Garden Pond
Bring nature back into your backyard.
In-ground ponds can subtly integrate with other water features.
Best for:Gardeners who are true nature lovers.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Ponds become their own ecosystems bursting with life.
Statue Fountain
Add a striking focal point by nestling a statue fountain betweengroups of colorful flowersorlively foliage.
These types of water features are an easy way to create an instant atmosphere in your backyard.
Credit: Matthew Benson
From humorous and whimsical to elegant and calming, the choice is yours.
Best for:Gardeners looking for a water feature that adds an artistic, sculptural element to their landscape.
Get creative and DIY your waterfall out of found materials, or stick to a classic natural-looking waterfall.
Credit: Andreas Trauttmansdorff
Best for:Those who want to enjoy the tranquil sight and sound of running water simultaneously.
Plus, themoving water is sure to attract fascinating birdsand other wildlife.
Use a longer stream to guide visitors to secret niches and resting spots.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Best for:Gardeners who want togive their landscape a naturalistic feeland enjoy the calming sounds of water.
Water Garden
Aquatic gardens open your outdoor space to a new world of plants.
Asmaller water gardencould be used as a tabletop water feature.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Blooming water plants such aswater lilies,arrowheads, orwater hyacinthswill add a sweet scent to your garden.
Best for:Gardeners looking for a new challenge.
Diving into a water garden means entirely different types of plants.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Keep an eye out for solar-powered fountains, anenergy-efficient option with low upkeep.
Wall Fountain
Wall fountains make a bold statement in any outdoor space while remaining subtle and elegant.
A wall-mounted fountain can help dress up an existing blank wall in your landscape.
Credit: Carson Downing
Or create a wall fountain asboth a retaining wall and focal point.
Bird baths with a fountain can even offer an element of moving water.
Birds are attracted to just about any water sourcebut most appreciate a shallow basin for bathing.
Credit: Bryan E. McCay
Complement your bird bath with plants that providefood sources for wildlifethroughout the year.
Best for:Gardeners who are wildlife and nature lovers.
Atabletop water gardencan fit into a busy schedule or small area.
Credit: Courtesy of Total Habitat
Move the mini water feature to wherever you need a fun focal point.
Like abirdbath, you’ll need to empty and refresh the waterregularly.
Best for:Beginning backyard fountain gardeners looking for tabletop accents and a touch of nature.
Credit: Tom McWilliam
Natural Swimming Pool
Make a statement with this eco-conscious variation of a swimming pool.
Completely chemical-free, anatural swimming pool uses plants and a filtration systemto maintain itself.
Your backyard refuge will get all the perks of a pool with the charming look of a pond.
Best for:Those who want a pop in of water feature that can double as a swimming pool.
Well Water Feature
Timeless, traditional, and tasteful.
Wells have been around for centuries.
Since most wells in a garden setting aren’t functional, creativity is needed.
This outdoor ornament can become a water feature by incorporating a fountain or water garden nearby.
Best for:Gardeners who love thecottage garden lookand enjoy a classic garden accessory.
