Artificial and natural reservoirs in landscape design

Recommendation points

• How to properly embed a natural reservoir into the overall design of the site
• Artificial reservoir arrangement on site
• How to choose a place for a pond

In this article, we will try to consider in more detail the types of reservoirs that are re-arranged or included in landscape design, in the case when there is already a reservoir on the site. Consider the main types of artificial ponds in the garden.

Almost all styles of landscape design involve a reservoir. An excellent option can be considered a site on the territory of which there is a natural reservoir. It can be a river, lake, or just a small stream..

How to properly embed a natural reservoir into the overall design of the site

In fact, this is not such a simple matter as it might seem at first glance. Each style implies its own type of reservoir. The style you choose will determine how the coastline, green spaces, lighting, and more should look like. Sometimes you have to choose the style just for the existing reservoir on the site.

The French (regular) style implies “interference” with the natural features of the site, including the arrangement of the reservoir according to the style requirements. It will be necessary to create a clear, decorated line of the coast, a parapet, wide stone steps with flowerpots at the edges. Perhaps the device of an artificial island on which you can place a stone gazebo or a sculptural group.

The English landscape style does not impose such strict requirements on an existing reservoir. The best thing is to just play with the coastline, without trying to align it, giving it a strict outline. A stylized dilapidated staircase can become a descent to the reservoir. It is best to plant the shore with shady trees with crowns hanging over the water. Plant plants – lilies or water lilies on the water surface. However, do not forget that the reservoir, like everything in an English park, must be truly well-groomed..

The baroque style will allow you to arrange anything on the shore. The descent can be decorated with a large water cascade made of expensive stone. An island can be built on the surface of the water, which will be connected to the shore by a richly decorated bridge. You can surround the island with a “ridge” of high-jet fountains with powerful illumination.

The easiest and easiest way for a natural reservoir to fit into a rustic style. Any river, lake or stream will become a natural continuation of landscape design in this style. You just have to fantasize a little with the device of benches, walkways, planting fruit trees or the device of a coastal mini-vegetable garden.

The ecological style does not at all imply interference with the natural landscape. You can only use what grows on the shore. It is not recommended to change anything.

But ethnic-style gardens imply the design of the coastline of a natural reservoir to match the style of the chosen ethnic group. In order to do this as correctly as possible, it is necessary to seriously study how the reservoirs look in that part of the world in the style of which the landscape design is made.

A special conversation about fantasy gardens. Since they are arranged not only on the banks of rivers or lakes, but also in swampy areas, the reservoir will have to be seriously worked on in order to include it in the general gloomy and mysterious world of fantasy and the gloomy Middle Ages.

The pond fits very well and easily into a romantic style. You can simply confine yourself to the device of a small pier, to which a boat is tied for walking lovers. You can arrange a coastal grotto entwined with greenery and flowers. A small rocky stream, babbling in the “territory of love”, can just be a find..

The most difficult task will have to be solved when arranging high-tech landscape design. The very appearance of natural bodies of water conflicts with the basic concept of the style. Perhaps the best solution would be to set up a well-mowed lawn right down to the water, without any other plantings. A professional designer will be able to offer a more complex design of the coastline using modern materials and a sophisticated lighting system.

For an alpine garden, the reservoir should become the natural and logical end of the cascade of alpine slides, waterfalls and streams. All water should fall into it. The coastline is formed by boulders and pebbles.

Artificial reservoir arrangement on site

More recently, the absence of a reservoir was a tangible disadvantage when choosing a site. But now many people prefer to create artificial ponds, which are much easier to integrate into the overall landscape design. Their sizes can be absolutely any, from a small pond or pool, to a huge lake-like reservoir.

It is very important that the planning of the pond takes place simultaneously with the planning of the landscape design as a whole..

How to choose a place for a pond

1. The pond is located at the lowest point of the site, but it should not be darkened. This condition must be observed for the comfortable growth of pond plants and coastal plantations..
2. It is necessary to make sure that it is technically possible to bring the necessary communications (water supply, electrical wiring) to the place chosen for the pond
3. It is very good if the pond is located next to the recreation area and is visible from the main building. But for large areas this condition is not necessary..
4. When choosing a place for a pond, it is also necessary to take into account the style of landscape design. For example, in a French park, a pond must certainly fit into the overall symmetry. And in an English park, this condition is not at all necessary..

You can read about how to arrange a pond on a site in our article “Do-it-yourself pond in the country.” There are detailed instructions, the main technical points, the advantages of certain materials that are used in the work are considered in detail.