A little water music: how to add the magic of falling water to your garden

Sunset, August, 2002 by Jim McCausland

Perhaps it's the music of burbling water that is so enchanting about backyard waterfalls, or the tiny rainbows that form in the mist above them, or the ribbons of clear water, sparkling in sunlight, that cascade off rocks. But one thing is certain: Waterfalls cast spells, beguiling and entrancing anyone who sees them. And gardeners in increasing numbers are installing them.

Some hire waterfall specialists to do the work; others do it themselves or buy preformed waterfalls from pond equipment suppliers or well-stocked nurseries and just plug them in (the easiest and often the least expensive option).

No matter which strategy you choose, once the water starts to tumble over rocks, you'll fall under its spell too. And you'll discover that the greatest joy of owning a waterfall is the tranquillity it brings to your garden.

Before you start

Unless you're a contractor, installing a waterfall may seem like a huge undertaking. But pond equipment suppliers have gone to extraordinary lengths to help even first-timers succeed. They offer packaged kits, complete with instruction manuals, videos that describe the installation, and filters, pumps, and pond liners. Or you can buy individual parts to piece together.

Your water garden can be a tiny tuck-in like the one pictured on page 99, or a large complex with many falls, like the one pictured at left. But before installing a large water feature yourself; learn all you can about the process and the equipment options. Take a class (offered by some pond suppliers), and peruse books such as Garden Pools, Fountains & Waterfalls (Sunset Publishing, Menlo Park, 2001; $14.95; 800/526-5111).

For design ideas, check out other water gardens in your neighborhood. Many pond suppliers sponsor tours of residential water gardens early each summer to benefit charities; for details, ask your pond supplier about Parade of Ponds. Other factors to consider are the following.

THE SOURCE. In nature, waterfalls come from somewhere--a meandering stream that disappears into the woods, for instance. To avoid the "spilling from the wall" look and to create the illusion of a waterfall's source, angle the falls and flank them with boulders or plants.

PUMP. Before you buy a pump, you'll need to know how many gallons of water your pond will hold and the height of your waterfall. Here's why: Industry standards call for all of a pond's water to be recirculated every two hours. Pumps are rated in gallons per hour (gph), but in practice this rating declines for every foot the pump has to lift the water. Most pumps come with a chart that lists gph for each of several discharge heights (called "head height"). To calculate the number of gallons of water your pond will hold, multiply its volume in cubic feet by 7.48.

ROCKS. Rocks are often sold in "head" sizes (as in the size of a person's head). For most ponds, one- and two-head rocks work best. Blend different colors; in a pond we built in our test garden (see page 98), we mixed white cobbles with blue ones and brought in some large boulders for accents (all from Graniterock; 831/471-3400). Remember that big rocks can be heavy. Some suppliers will deliver and position them for an hourly fee (in advance of delivery, plan where you want them to go). If there are naturally occurring rocks on your site, try to include some of them.

FISH. Koi are beautiful and easy to keep. To protect them from raccoons and herons, provide enough plants to cover at least two-thirds of the water's surface; plants will also create hiding places among rocks. If marauders still come after them, switch to less expensive goldfish. For protection, some people stretch bird netting or a fan of clear fishing line over their garden pond.

COST. The pond/waterfall combinations shown here and on the following pages range in price from about $500 for the preformed pond shell pictured on page 99 to $25,000 or more. Choose the right system for your budget.

RELATED ARTICLE: Anatomy of a waterfall & pond

The best site for a water garden is on level ground and in a spot where you can see and hear it from the house, patio, or garden bench. It should be within reach of electric power (plan to have an electrician wire it for you). Make it deep enough for plants and fish--18 to 24 inches in most regions. Though local codes sometimes vary, national codes require fencing for any pond more than 2 feet deep.

Waterfall

Terraced soil or stacked stones provide a place for the water to spill over. New waterfall boxes combine a waterfall and biological filter in a single box.

Pond plants

They work with filters and fish to reduce algae. They also consume carbon dioxide, which helps keep water clear. You can grow a wide array of plants in and near the water. Just keep them clear of the splash from the waterfall.

Marginal plants, such as cannas, flowering rush, Japanese iris, and papyrus, grow in boggy soil at pond's edge or very shallow water (underwater shelves give you a place to set these plants).

Deep-water plants rest at least 18 inches below the surface (2 feet is common), but their leaves and flowers float on the surface. One beautiful example is parrot's feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), a lacy-foliaged plant. Water lilies (Nymphaea) add a lovely splash of color when they bloom in warm weather. Choose from hardy varieties or exotically colored tropicals (in cold climates, bring them into a greenhouse or sunroom during winter).