
Choose Complementary Plants
Since a fountain serves as a focal point, it should be taller than the neighboring plants. Pick plants that won’t dwarf the fountain when they’re mature. Plants that like moist soil and humidity thrive around water features. Below are a few ideal candidates, with some luring birds and butterflies:
- Cardinal flower – A stunning plant growing up to 4 feet high, it suits medium to large fountains and produces red trumpet-shaped blooms, providing nectar for hummingbirds.
- Swamp milkweed – A slow grower, it creates fragrant pink flower clusters favored by monarch butterflies. The plant also forms fuzzy seed pods at maturity, adding textural interest.
- Canna lily – With dramatic flair, it births showy blooms in dazzling colors, including yellow, orange, pink, and red. The leaves are also bold, often deeply veined and sometimes variegated. The stems can grow 6 feet high.
- Water forget-me-not – This plant reaches a height of 10 inches, which is ideal for short fountains. The star-shaped blooms are sky-blue with lobed petals.
- Japanese iris – This bulb grows 3 feet tall and features large ruffled flowers in white, pink, blue, and purple.
Create a Fountain Path with Landscaping Rocks
A designated walkway gives you direct access to the fountain while protecting your lawn from being worn thin by foot traffic. A path can be straight or curved, winding gently to your oasis, or you can install a couple of separate walkways leading to the fountain.
To form the path, consider using landscaping stones to give it attractive color and texture. Additionally, these stones improve water drainage, guarding against root rot in your plants. Choose durable, flat stones that ensure steady footing. Here are our suggestions:
- Black polished pebbles – These stones are hardy while emitting a vibrant sheen. Moreover, they’re smooth and large, available in sizes of 1 to 2 inches, 2 to 3 inches, and 3 to 5 inches.
- Mexican beach pebbles – Flat and gray, they’re 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Since the pebbles are consistently round, they look neat and orderly.
Lay a Path with Stepping Stones
This is another option. After securing the slabs, fill the spaces between them with landscaping pebbles. For this purpose, we recommend any type with a uniform color, such as the ones below. This way, you’ll highlight the stepping stones, making them prominent. Here are a few options to choose from:
- Pure gold pebbles – With their round edges and rich brown hue, they outline stepping stones beautifully. Moreover, their color is warm and inviting—perfect for a walkway.
- Green jade pebbles – These stones are teal, and their soothing color deepens when they’re wet. Due to their angled shapes, they have a chiseled look.
- Snow-white pebbles – The route to your fountain will fairly glow with these pebbles. That’s because their pure white surfaces reflect light. Meanwhile, the stones’ rounded edges soften their bold appearance.
If you’d rather not edge your fountain with plants, surround it with any landscaping stone that complements your structure. The color and texture of the decorative rocks will heighten the fountain’s charm.
Add Relaxing Seating
You can go simple with a single bench or offer seats for several guests. First, choose outdoor furniture that blends with the fountain’s architectural style. Then place the seats beyond the reaches of the water spray.
The furniture framework should be durable and weather-resistant. Below are optimal materials:
- Cast aluminum – This type of aluminum is heated before it’s molded into seating, imbuing it with strength. Yet the furniture is lightweight, so it’s easy to lift and carry.
- Synthetic wicker – Also termed all-weather wicker, the synthetic type is usually polyethylene. This material resists the degrading effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Moreover, it comes in various colors, such as chocolate brown, beige, and charcoal gray.
- Wrought iron – When paired with thick, comfortable cushions, wrought iron is both sleek and inviting. Some styles have elaborate patterns on their seat backs. Wrought iron cleans easily with a damp cloth.
- Wood – The most durable type of wood is hardwood, such as teak and ipe. Teak is honey-colored and impervious to wood-eating pests and weather damage. Ipe is deep brown with russet tones and a linear or slightly wavy grain, and it’s second to teak in strength and longevity while being less expensive.
Next, consider cushions for your outdoor furniture. The most resilient fabric is polypropylene, which is highly resistant to UV rays and dries fast.
Provide Evening Enjoyment with Lighting
If you illuminate the fountain, you can revel in its splendor past sunset. Outdoor lighting creates a magical ambience, ushering in serenity and helping you unwind.
Fountain light installation requires the knowledge and skill to work safely with electricity and water. Rather than installing the lights yourself, hire a professional. Choose a contractor who offers a broad selection of waterproof fixtures. Some types come with remote controls that let you change the light color. Also, when considering lights, review their wattage demands to gauge how they’ll impact your electric bills. Note that the best fixture materials are copper or brass, since they can endure years of underwater use.
For advice on designing your home’s landscape with river rocks and beach pebbles, reach out to the experts at RS&P Rocks Stones & Pebbles, a premier decorative rock and supply superstore. We specialize in drought-tolerant landscaping materials, including a variety of Mexican beach pebble and river rock. To learn how we can help you enhance the exterior of your home, call us today at (866) 380-0770.