Water Music The attraction is very easy to understand. Water breathes life into the garden. An informal natural pond in a secluded corner or a formal raised fountain placed near the patio gives a garden atmosphere, sound and movement. It adds a wildlife dimension too, not only can it be home to beautiful water plants and fish but a water feature will also attract birds, dragonflies and frogs. As the modern world increases in complexity, the simple tranquility of water in the garden calms frazzled nerves and soothes the weary soul.

Water has been a basic feature of grand gardens since the very beginning - with the Incas or with the Chinese 4,500 years ago for feng shui. The ancient Persians had their canals and fountains, Moorish Spain inherited the style and the mastery of water gardening moved to Italy in the 16th century. Then along came Le Notre with his magnificent stretches of water at Versailles and in Britain whole valleys were filled with water by Capability Brown to create his informal pools. It was in the middle of the 18th century that books first began to describe the growing of aquatic plants but it was not until the latter part of the 19th century that the great craze for water gardening began caused in part by the huge enthusiasm for the first blooming hybridized Giant Water Lily around 1880. Over most of the last century yards had to be very large and pockets very deep to accommodate water gardening. But since the introduction of flexible and preformed liners and efficient small water pumps, the allure of water music in the garden is easily within the do –it –yourselfer’s gardening scope. No longer is it necessary to use concrete to make a pond that is large enough for fish and a wide range of water plants. Inexpensive submersible pumps, floating lights, preformed cascades, self-contained fountains and everything that you need to create stunningly beautiful water features for your home is available at Gale’s Westlake. When you’re ready to add plants and marginal plantings, Gale’s Nursery Specialists will be happy to help you select the right plants for your pond or container size and use. Small self-contained water gardens have become very popular in recent years. It’s an easy way for beginners to enjoy a small water feature right away and small gardens can be placed almost anywhere, even indoors. Small water features add a nice landscaping touch to patios and decks or even on the balcony. Fountains and pumps add the soothing sound of cascading water. Creating a beautiful container water garden is easy to do with the wide array of accessories available in Gale’s Westlake’s Water Garden Department. Visit Gale’s Westlake’s new fountain and statuary garden to see our beautiful collection of bubbling bird baths, wall masks, free standing fountains and natural rock water features that will appeal to the most formal and the most whimsical tastes. Be sure to see our beautiful selection of water garden sized ceramic and stone containers, too. Oh, and don’t forget a sprinkler for the kids!