Pros and Cons of Installing a Fountain or Water Feature

In almost every storybook garden, there is always a pristine, flowing fountain. It’s where you throw coins into a wishing well, or where the princess gazes at her reflection. This romanticized view of fountains may have inspired you to have one of your own.

Water features are a beautiful addition to almost any landscape design. But before you move forward with installing one, there are numerous factors to consider, from design to installation. Below are some pros and cons of fountains, according to the landscape designers of Juniper!

Pros

• Fountains can be a stunning addition to your backyard space. Water features come in all shapes and sizes: from grand, three-tier fountains, to charming little waterfalls. A landscape designer can flawlessly incorporate the water feature into your existing garden design, making your backyard a serene escape.
• Your very own water feature would be a charming, relaxing place to spend time. This is especially true on a hot day in San Diego. It’s a simple pleasure to sit beside a fountain and enjoy the soothing sound of running water.
• If you’re looking to sell your home in the future, a fountain or water feature can add significant curb appeal. A well-kept fountain is an impressive element to any home, and incorporating one into your landscape design shows you care about your property.
• Any water feature can be a charming birdbath or serve as a refreshing watering hole for thirsty wildlife. We all know how hot it can get in San Diego, and animals feel that heat too! It’s a charming sight to see birds ruffling their feathers in a fountain.

With these wonderful reasons, you may already be picking up the phone to give us a call. But you should know that there are other elements to consider before installing a fountain in your yard.

Cons

• Depending on the size of your yard, you may not have enough room to add the water feature you want. As professional landscape designers, we don’t recommend trying to force a fountain or water feature in an area where it won’t fit. Instead of the circular, three-tiered fountain of your dreams, we may have to compromise with an equally beautiful, but subtle fountain.
• A fountain or water feature requires upkeep. You’ll have to regularly drain, scrub, and refill the fountain to ensure there is no algae buildup. Keeping a fountain clean involves a lot of work, and if you let it fall into disrepair, it subtracts from the beauty of your landscape design. Of course, you can hire us to take care of the dirty work!
• It’s no secret that fountains can be expensive. You can expect to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to purchase one. In addition, the upkeep and maintenance will cost money over time. It may be worth it for you, but just make sure you have a realistic budget. We can work with you to determine what kind of water feature would be best for your space.
• Figuring out the logistics of where to build the fountain can be a challenge. It’s not as easy as picking one out and placing it where it looks nice. Installing a fountain may require a huge change in your landscape design, so be prepared for that possibility.

There are pros and cons to every landscape design idea, so make sure you are aware of what to expect. With all of these factors to consider, we hope your decision is a little easier. If you’re committed to incorporating a gorgeous water feature to your garden design, reach out to our team at Juniper to make it happen!