Arrangement, design and decoration of the “dry stream” with your own hands

Recommendation points

• Features of the arrangement of the “dry stream” on the site
• Varieties of “dried up reservoirs”
• Recommendations and practical advice for the design of a “dry stream”
• How to create a dry stream with your own hands
• Choice of location and shape
• Preparing the base under the stream
• Arrangement of the channel under the stream
• Selection and laying of stones
• Floristics around the reservoir
• Dry Stream Care
• Dry stream in landscape design: photo ideas

“Dry Stream” creates the illusion of a dried-up reservoir and this technique is successfully used by professionals and amateur designers when decorating parks and garden plots. Consider the main types of compositions, give practical advice on arrangement and decor, and describe the stages of creating a “stone stream”.

Features of the arrangement of the “dry stream” on the site

The creation of the illusion of waterfalls, the sea surface and the movement of stream flows was originally used in the landscape design of Japanese gardens. Residents of the land of the rising sun have always appreciated brevity, symbolism, and associated the surrounding objects with natural phenomena.

Stones, boulders, pebbles and ornamental plants are the key elements in the arrangement of a “dried up” stream. The size and shape of natural minerals determine the nature of the stream flow: large cobblestones symbolize turbulent streams, and small pebbles symbolize the water surface. Shrubs, flowers and grass along the riverbed give naturalness and organicness to the reservoir.

While contemplating the “dry stream” one should get the impression that the mouth has dried up quite recently and the first drops of rain will bring it back to life.

In addition to the stylistic and decorative role, the “dried” source also performs a number of other functions:

• masking uneven terrain, old stumps, hatches, communications;
• the curved shape of the stream visually expands the area of ​​the site;
• space zoning – the smooth outlines of the reservoir combine different zones together or take them to different banks.

Simulated stream will be an excellent alternative to an artificial reservoir, as it has several significant advantages:

• safety for children;
• lack of annoying midges and mosquitoes;
• implementation of the project will not require large financial investments and efforts (the work is completed in 2-3 days);
• ease of care.

Varieties of “dried up reservoirs”

Theoretically, it is possible to recreate almost any shape of a stream, use unexpected boundaries, combine precipitous waterfalls with channels, etc. However, in practice, the following types of “stone streams” are most common.

Sand jets Is a traditional element of the Japanese garden. The composition consists of several thin (up to 20 cm) rivulets, which are connected along the course, or diverge from each other. The effect of artificial waves is achieved by “combing” the sand jets with a rake with fine teeth.

Waterfall – the source of the stream is located on a hill, symbolizing a rock, a well or a jug from which water flows.

Merging sleeves. In this case, a “dry stream” consists of one meandering channel or several branches. Such a reservoir looks spectacular on relief areas, and its device is made so that the stream goes beyond the enclosing elements: a fence, dense vegetation or under a bridge.

Imitation of water can be depicted with a flower arrangement using plants in white, blue and blue. This option looks very impressive, but it is more difficult to implement and maintain..

Recommendations and practical advice for the design of a “dry stream”

Gravel, crushed stone or small stones are suitable for the channel. It is better to decorate the banks with boulders and cobblestones. Wooden beams and branches can be used as a “support” for the mouth – the composition looks more naturalistic.

Place the source of the stream on a small hill, and hide the mouth behind large leaves of plants, liana or fern.

If the area of ​​the site allows, then in the widest part of the stream you can arrange a sandbank. Islets can be flat large boulders and huge boulders.

To create a uniform flow of water, stones of the same color are selected. Contrasting cobblestones along the coast will add a zest to the composition..

“Stone Creek” will better harmonize with the surrounding nature if it is made from local mineral rocks..

To simulate a waterfall, cobblestones of different sizes are used, mainly of light shades..

Flat stones set with an edge create the illusion of a fast flow of water.

An original pond is obtained using decorative pebbles, glass granules or old blue beads.

The use of decorative elements “revives” the composition. An excellent solution would be to place a bridge over a “dried-up reservoir”.

How to create a dry stream with your own hands

Choice of location and shape

The water element, even if it is an imitation of it, disposes to rest and tranquility, therefore it is better to place the reservoir near the recreation area, the terrace of the house or the gazebo. Alternatively, you can arrange a “stream” in the back of the garden, and hang a hammock near it or install a comfortable bench.

When choosing the shape of the future stream, the features of the site are taken into account – its size and relief.

In order not to be mistaken with the shape, it is necessary to outline the outline of the stream with the help of sand or twine. Assess how the “pond” looks and, if necessary, correct.

Preparing the base under the stream

The basis of the stream – stones and gravel, are selected in accordance with the selected composition. You can experiment with color:

• shale, gneiss with basalt – gray-blue tint;
• marble and limestone – light brown range;
• granite – red-brown color.

Advice.Treatment of stones with varnish will give them a “wet effect”, and coating with waterproof paint with a luminous element will create a stream that will shine at night and resemble a “moon path”.

Arrangement of the channel under the stream

Stages of channel creation:

1. Apply the final markup of the future reservoir.
2. Remove a layer of earth along the contour – about 15-30 cm. The wider the stream, the deeper it should be.
3. Cover the bottom of the pit with rubber, thick film or lutrasil – this will protect the composition from erosion and weed germination. Alternatively, you can concrete the future stream bed.

Selection and laying of stones

The stones are laid in the following sequence:

1. Strengthen the banks with large stones. Better to choose boulders that are different in size, but the same in origin..
2. Dig a little large boulders into the ground.
3. Lay medium-sized stones between large minerals.
4. The channel is filled with pebbles and gravel.
5. You can create a grotto effect or create rapids using rock debris.
6. The final stage of laying the base is the design of the coastal beach. Pour a layer of sand or crushed bark around the perimeter of the stream.

Video: creating a dry stream

Floristics around the reservoir

The area around the stream is framed by plants that prefer wet habitats and are associated with water. These crops include: daylily, Chinese reed, leaf grate bamboo, reed arundo. They all have long thin leaves that resemble river reeds and susak..

Plants with juicy blue-blue flowers will remind you of the coolness and water freshness: lobelia, bells, blue fescue, bearded iris and creeping tenacious.

Dry Stream Care

Recommendations for the care of “coastal” vegetation:

• under shrubs, grass and flowers, it is periodically necessary to loosen the soil – to enrich it with oxygen;
• regular watering and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers;
• prevent overgrowth – cut the plants in a timely manner;
• the moss that appears will create the illusion of a river bank, but its distribution must be controlled;
• heat-loving plants for the winter should be covered with spruce branches.

Dry stream in landscape design: photo ideas

The “dried up pond” organically fits not only into oriental-style gardens, but also into any other landscape design. The main thing is to choose the right direction of the stream, the color palette of the composition and not overdo it with decorative elements..