What is a Fountainscape?


Container Water Gardens

If you’re interested in “testing the waters” of the water gardening hobby, a container water garden is a great place to start! They are generally used to add the sound of water to a deck or patio, but they also look great greeting visitors by the front door. But they don’t just add beauty, they also give kids a fun way to learn about nature, and make a great starter “pond” for any young children interested in water.

Finding a Container

A container water garden can be created using virtually any type of container … as long as it has the ability to hold water. An old clawfoot tub, a galvanized bucket, your favorite terra cotta pot, or an old whiskey barrel all make great containers for your new water garden! Once you’ve chosen the container, you need to make sure it will hold water. Any un-glazed pottery will need to be sealed and drain holes will need to be plugged. A wooden container such as a whiskey barrel can be lined with a piece of rubber liner that is affixed to the rim. Make sure the sealant you use safe for plants and fish.

Plants for a Water Garden

A container water garden wouldn’t be a garden without out the plants. When planting a container water garden, the same principals apply as with a regular container garden. A balance of plants that are different shapes and sizes means you’ll have a planter that is pleasing to the eye. Or, highlighting just one special plant, such as a lotus plant if you have a large container, or a single, pigmy water lily if you have a smaller container, makes a striking garden and a much simpler approach.

If you add fish to your container water garden, consider the water volume of the container. The water in smaller containers goes through extreme temperature changes, which has a negative effect on most fish. Mosquito fish however, can tolerate warm water quite well. If your container holds more than 20 gallons of water you can add any type of goldfish.

Bubbling Urns and Spitters


Brass Sculpture or Aquabasin?

Aquascape provides an extra large reservoir called the AquaBasin™.  The AquaBasin supports up to 2,000 pounds and holds 75 gallons of water.  Large basalt columns can be set atop the basin for a truly impressive decorative water feature in the landscape.  For a more formal look, try an impressive brass sculpture.

The AquaBasin™ can easily be installed within just a few hours if you like to tackle home projects on your own, or we can install it for you.  Aquascape provides a wide variety of decorative pieces that can be used in conjunction with the AquaBasin™, from ceramic urns to brass sculptures to carved stone structures.  What’s more, Aquascape adds new decorative options each year, so there’s always something fresh and new to add to your landscape.

Water Gardens & Insects

Since mosquitoes will lay eggs in stagnant water, you’ll need a small 75 gph statuary pump fitted with a spitter or fountain head to keep them away from your container water garden. If you don’t want a fountain effect, you can position the pump discharge just under the surface of the water to create water movement.

Maintenance is easy! To keep the pump operating properly and the plants submerged at the correct level, you’ll need to occasionally add water to make up for evaporation. Now that you’re enjoying your container water garden, be careful. Once the water gardening bites you, there’s no going back! Next, you’ll be reading how to build your own in-ground pond.

Standalone Fountains

Standalone Fountains are gaining popularity due to their ease of set-up and maintenance.  Found at garden centers and home improvement stores across America, a wide range of styles and finishes are available to fit everyone’s taste and budget.  From impressive brass to simple resin fountains, these features are made to “stand alone,” meaning they don’t need any counterparts to make them function.  Much like a tabletop fountain, all you need to do is add water, plug it in, and enjoy.  Some larger units may require a bit of simple assembly.
