| Waterfalls are truly inspirational in a garden setting, | | | | the concrete shell of the pool, the pump and |
| with the larger waterfalls adding a new dimension | | | | plumbing installations for re-circulating the water, |
| to a landscape with the sound of cascading water | | | | should be completely camouflaged by the careful |
| tumbling over rocks, and smaller waterfalls | | | | placement of rocks, stones and pebbles. |
| providing a more tranquil setting. | | | | The same criteria apply when constructing a |
| Natural designs are the most successful in a | | | | natural stream. In a suburban garden the source |
| suburban garden, and although looking as if they | | | | of a stream is usually a waterfall. The water must |
| had always been there, such waterfalls are usually | | | | be pumped from where the stream ends, usually |
| the result of meticulous attention to detail and | | | | in a pool, back to the waterfall to begin its |
| careful planning. | | | | journey again. |
| The ideal situation for a waterfall is a gently | | | | Streams are really only practical in larger gardens, |
| sloping hillside, but with time and patience you can | | | | and where ground contours can be followed in a |
| create a lovely effect, even if your garden is a bit | | | | natural flow. You will need a fall of at least one in |
| on the flat side. | | | | four for the stream to flow properly. |
| The best way to construct a waterfall is to copy | | | | Streams should have soft curves to further |
| the way nature creates a waterfall. Rocks should | | | | enhance a natural appearance. The stream should |
| be selected to suit the size you want the finished | | | | be wider and deeper at the midpoint of a curve, |
| construction to be. Very large rocks could | | | | and shallower along the inside, to allow the water |
| overwhelm the completed feature, and if the | | | | to arc as it builds up in the curves. Place rocks in |
| rocks are to small the whole thing can look bitty | | | | the bends so that the water can curve past. |
| and amateurish. Place the rocks to accommodate | | | | Large rocks placed midstream will create small |
| a natural flow from one high level to the lower, | | | | islands around which the water will gush, creating |
| and trees, plants and loose soil at the sides, never | | | | a strong visual affect. |
| in the direct path of the falling water. | | | | Choosing trees and plants indigenous to your area |
| Rocks, stones and pebbles can be placed to hide | | | | will add to the natural, always been there, feel of |
| the mechanisms used to construct your waterfall, | | | | your waterfall and/or stream. |
