Fountain Selection Criteria

Fountains can add a whole new dimension to any garden setting, although selecting the right fountain for our gardens can be no easy task. I want to teach you my six important steps to consider before selecting the perfect fountain for your garden space.

Think back on some of the most memorable moments from the last time you visited a botanical garden or city park and chances are there was a flowing fountain nearby. Water in motion appeals to our human senses in a way few other elements can. Their sound can elicit strong feeling in us like peaceful serenity or majestic grandeur. So, it is no wonder that many of us want to incorporate a fountain into our little pieces of paradise.

I cannot recount the number of old fountains I’ve seen lying in ruins around people’s yards. “Haul that away!” is a common phrase I hear. Most often than not, they no longer work because they failed to live up to the hopes and vision most people had for them, when in fact many of them could have worked out great had only the person considered whether the fountain could function properly in the intended location in the first place. In other words, most old fountains were simply mismatched for the locations they were allotted to.

Terraced (or tiered fountains) are often the first fountain style we think of and it’s no wonder, as this is one of the most enduring and graceful fountain styles which come to mind for most people. Tiered fountains of all sizes tend to have a high “splash factor” meaning water splashing outside the fountain bowls. This is often not good unless the fountain is set in a very large bottom catch basin to retain the splash. Excessive splashcan make for some unhappy plants below a fountain like this, not to mention stains on patios and fences. Usually due to wind and the distance the water must fall between bowls, there tends to be a high amount of water evaporation which may require the need to refill some fountains up to two times a day when running constantly in the hot summer months. But don’t give up on terrace fountains, instead locate these kinds of fountains in sheltered courtyards or shady nooks for best long-term results.

Here are some criteria I recommend when shopping for just the right fountain:

1. Sound: Listen to the unique sound a fountain makes. The fountain must convey a pleasing sound which is amplified enough to conceal the sound of the working pump motor. Some fountains sound like someone using the bathroom, so make sure to listen carefully to the fountain you’re interested in by having the salesperson run it for you and turn off any surrounding fountains so you can hear it clearly. Height is also a consideration. 60″ is a good height, and there are many fountains 36″-48″ high which produce a pleasing sound. Usually the higher the water falls the more sound it creates.

2. Splash Factor: As I mentioned above, splashing can discolor and damage both hardscape and softscape materials. Algaecides are used to control algae growth in a fountain. Most are safe for animals and fish, however an algaecide is a PLANT KILLER so any water splashed onto surrounding vegetation tends to suffer greatly. Select a fountain with little to no splashing outside of the basins to avoid plant “dead zones” round your fountain.

3. Maintenance: Usually fountains with a deep lower basin will not need to be filled as much as ones with shallow basins. This can help prevent a fountain from running dry which often causes the motors to burn out prematurely. An elevated fountain makes the occasional cleaning of it a lot easier to handle versus having to bending down low to the ground. Finally, fountains which have the lower water collection basin hidden fromsunlight will tend to develop fewer algae, especially when it is not running and the water is sitting idle.

4. Safety: If the fountain is a smaller tiered fountain they can often be easily knocked over or fall over by little-ones wanting to pull themselves up to peek at the water inside. If children will often be present, consider a “flat backed” fountain which can be attached to a support post since it is designed to be up near a wall or fence and be primarily viewed from the front and side only. Wildlife, like birds, often like to drink and bathein fountains but they can easily drown in deep bowls. Keep a few bricks or stones in the water to help them out if they fall in.

5. Style/Color: The style of the fountain should complement the architecture of the home or landscape features. Look for built-in corbels on your house roof eves or on patio cover rafters then look for fountains with curves which mimic these artistic features. The colors should also complement the hardscape colors- think warm color tones and cool color tones. Colors may also resemble furnishings or other garden art features. The “theme”of a fountain should also complement the theme of the interior home design style. For example, if the interior decor is classical or say Victorian then angels, doves or human form in the fountain is acceptable; try to stay with the overall theme of the home.

6. Happiness factor: Ultimately, you want to be happy with this hardscape purchase. Find the right fountain style which meets your specific taste.

Following these outlines can make the difference between liking a garden fountain to absolutely adoring a garden fountain enough to want to pass it on to future generations!