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3 Ideas for Small Backyard Water Features
At Premier Ponds we provide numerous options for small backyard water features in Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia. If you’ve always wanted the beautiful sights and sounds of water but don’t have enough space for a pond, then our Spillway Bowls, Fountains, or Pondless Waterfalls & Streams are the perfect solution. These smaller water features are perfect for that empty corner of the patio, that small garden you’ve always wanted to make something more, or for greeting visitors at your front door.
These smaller water features also require little to no maintenance, and winterizing is a breeze. Below, are 3 ideas for small backyard or garden water features. Think one of the features would be perfect for your space? Send us some pictures!
Spillway Bowls
This video is a time-lapse installation for a triple waterfall spillway bowl:
Why choose spillway bowls as a small backyard or garden water feature?
The Spillway Bowl, Basin and Stand allows for an unlimited amount of installation possibilities. They can be installed as a standalone disappearing water feature, or several Spillway Bowls can be linked together for an amazing display. They can also enhance any of your existing water features, like koi ponds.
How do the Spillway Bowls work?
SPILLWAY BOWL
The Spillway Bowl creates a beautiful spilling water feature that can be added to any pond or pool creating an instant waterfall. Spillway Bowls can also easily be linked together creating a unique modern standalone water feature.
SPILLWAY BASIN
The Spillway Basin is an ideal standalone overflowing water feature that will create a beautiful, tranquil focal point in almost any setting.
As a standalone feature, spillway bowls work in much the same way as fountains. They are set above an underground reservoir that keeps recirculating the water. Once the bowl(s) fill with water, the water spills out and over into the underground reservoir. A submersed pump then directs the water back up through the water feature.
An unlimited amount of installation possibilities
The Spillway Bowl creates a beautiful spilling water feature that can be added to any pond or pool creating an instant waterfall. Spillway Bowls can also easily be linked together creating a unique modern standalone water feature.
Light up your Spillway Bowls at night
With lifestyles as busy as they are today, it is often difficult to enjoy your water feature or landscape during the day. Sometimes the evening hours are the only time available for relaxing and enjoying these things. So why not bring them to life at night? Adding lighting will add a completely new dimension to your water feature and extend the hours of enjoyment.
Spillway Bowls can also support aquatic plants
Spillway Bowls have the capability of having aquatic plants. Marginal plants like Iris and Grasses are best for pondless water features because they usually don’t like a lot of water depth. They typically thrive in soil that is a little wet and are near the outskirts of the water feature.
Looking to upgrade and existing fountain or small water feature?
Already have a small garden fountain? Considering an upgrade? Spillway Bowls are the perfect choice.
Do Spillway Bowls sound right for your small backyard space?
Have a small backyard space or garden that you think would be perfect for Spillway Bowls? Send us some pictures!
Fountains
Why choose a Fountain as a small backyard or garden water feature?
Fountains are great for small spaces or if you don’t want a pond. They add that perfect sight and sound for that corner of your patio or by greeting visitors at your front door. They don’t just add beauty either, they give kids a fun way to learn about nature and make a great starter “pond” for any young child interested in water.
How does a Fountain work?
Typical fountains are set above an underground reservoir (basin) that keeps recirculating the water. Once the fountain fills with water, the water spills out and over into the underground basin. A submersed pump then directs the water back up through the water feature. The basin we use is called an AquaBasin. A large one can support up to 2,000 pounds and holds 75 gallons of water. The top of the aquabasin is generally covered in beautiful river gravel.
Bring your Fountain to life at night
With lifestyles as busy as they are today, it is often difficult to enjoy your water feature or landscape during the day. Sometimes the evening hours are the only time available for relaxing and enjoying these things. So why not bring them to life at night? Adding lighting will add a completely new dimension to your pond or waterfall and extend the hours of their enjoyment.
Fountains can also support aquatic plants
Fountains also have the capability of having aquatic plants. The aquatic plants can be added in pots located under the splash to keep them wet and any visible part of plant pots can be covered with rock and gravel. Plants can also be set directly in rock and gravel as long as the roots can get wet. If you choose this method, make sure the plants are not fast growers. A water feature can be overtaken by freely planted aquatic plants.
Winterizing a Fountain
Most fountains can be treated like a pondless waterfall. As soon as the weather gets too cold, it can simply be unplugged for the winter. On ceramic pieces or fountains made of a breakable material, they need to be shut off and drained for the winter. Water left inside them can freeze, expand and crack them.
Does a Fountain sound right for your small backyard space?
Have a small backyard space or garden that you think would be perfect for a fountain? Send us some pictures!
Pondless Waterfalls & Streams
Why choose a Pondless Waterfall or Stream as a small backyard or garden water feature?
If you don’t have the space for a koi pond, a Pondless stream or waterfall gives the natural beauty of running water in a smaller area with essentially no maintenance. If you want to add the relaxing sound of water to your yard and don’t want to worry about the fish or plant maintenance of a pond, then pondless waterfalls or streams are for you!
You can also bring these benefits to your home with a pondless water feature >>
How does a Pondless Waterfall or Stream work?
Pondless Streams & Waterfalls work in much the same way as fountains or other pondless features. We use underlayment and liner to keep and direct the water where we want it. The end of the stream or waterfall is set above an underground reservoir containing a submersed pump which recirculates the water back up to the spillway.
Bring your Pondless Waterfall or Stream to life at night
If you enhance a Pondless Stream or Waterfall with underwater lights, you’ll add hours of enjoyment as you and your family gather for dinner, or to just enjoy the sounds and sights of your custom water feature at night. The water feature lifestyle does not have to stop when the sun goes down and there’s nothing like an illuminated waterfall at dusk.
Pondless Waterfalls & Streams can also support aquatic plants
Aquatic Plants can boost the beauty of your Pondless Waterfall or Stream, while removing organics. Marginal plants like Iris and Grasses are best for Pondless Waterfalls & Streams because they usually don’t like a lot of water depth. They typically thrive in soil that is a little wet and are near the outskirts of water feature.
Does a Pondless Waterfall or Stream sound right for your small backyard space?
Have a small backyard space or garden that you think would be perfect for a pondless waterfall or stream? Send us some pictures!
