Make a Splash With Pondless Water Features

Email Page

Print Page

Jodi Torpey

Extras

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Jodi Torpey

The soft bubbling sounds of a water feature offer relaxing background “music” for sipping morning coffee or entertaining friends on the patio.

When one of my friends wanted to build a water garden in her back yard, she didn’t let living in a fourth-floor apartment stop her. She used her creativity to craft a beautiful self-contained pond on the balcony. Most other people would have thought that space too small for a pond, but she was determined – and successful.

These days small spaces are no longer an obstacle for those who long for the sounds of a gurgling brook right outside their door. Pondless water features are making a big splash with gardeners who want all the elements of a traditional pond without all the upkeep that goes along with it.

So what are these creations, exactly? Built from a kit or custom-designed by a professional, basic pondless water features include a stream, a waterfall and a pump that’s housed in an underground rock-filled basin. The water flows down the stream, over one or more waterfalls and then vanishes into the hidden reservoir below. The pump then recirculates the water to the top of the stream. And because the stream can be as long or short as you desire, this disappearing waterfall can be added just about anywhere in the landscape.

Facts

Pondless water features don’t use much water. Any water lost through evaporation can easily be replaced with a garden hose.
Pondless water features are a great alternative to ponds if you’ve got small children who play in the yard. These beautiful features are considered safer than traditional ponds.

Tips

Consider adding a pondless water feature to your front yard or entryway. It’s a lovely way to welcome visitors, as well as lead them right to your front door.

Resources

We’d love to see your pondless water feature! Share your success with our Learn2Grow community and post pictures of your design in our forums.

Page 1 of 2

Next Steps

Articles

Building a Water Garden or Fish Pond
Building a water garden or fish pond takes planning and hard work, but the pleasure and interest they bring to a garden makes it well-worth the effort! Follow these few simple steps and dive into the popular world of water gardening.
Water Garden Plants
What’s a water garden without water plants? Here are a few aquatic recommendations to look for when stocking your water garden.
Small Gardens: Less Is More
A small garden is like a snapshot: You see it all at once. There really isn’t room for errors, but don’t be overwhelmed. The best way to design a beautiful, personal space is just to follow this easy rule: Keep it simple.

RATE THIS PAGE

On average this item has been rated a 2 out of 5.