Both trees and water features add beauty to your outdoor living space. But they also create a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere ideal for gathering with your family and friends. Designing your backyard to include both of these elements takes forethought and the help of skilled professionals. Start with a vision for the space and move forward carefully.
Forming Your Vision
Some trees are used for shade, others are planted as a wind barrier and still others are simply for aesthetics. What kind of garden do you picture around your water feature, and how will trees fit into that vision?
Traditional fountains are often set into stone patios, but this dramatic scene can be set up near a screen of trees to create a secret garden or visual surprise. Other water features require trees to obtain that natural look, including ponds, waterfalls and brooks.
Deciduous trees with fleshy leaves help to create a tropical look, while tall species evoke a serene forest setting. Form the vision of your water feature complete with plantings and trees, then begin the selection process to ensure a thriving outdoor space.
Focal Points
Trees often form the structure of your yard, anchoring gardens or providing shade. Water features are used as focal points and can create “rooms” within your yard. Planting trees around your pond, fountains or waterfall takes that focal point to another level, adding a lush canopy effect.
The trick is to combine the right trees with your water feature. Willows, pond cypress and river birch trees make excellent companions to large ponds and streams. These specimens thrive in wet soil and help to improve drainage issues or retain soil around bodies of water. Other tree species may not thrive in wet soil, and will fall short of your original vision.
Trees enhance water features and create an incredible atmosphere in your yard. Choose wisely at the garden center to achieve your optimum vision and combine these two for a comfortable, lush outdoor living space.