Birthday
HydrangeasThis article was prepared with the support of UFL flower delivery. A garden isn't just flowers and fruit trees — it's a place to unwind. Rose beds, rockeries, lilac walks and, of course, a fountain make it cosy. The sound of water is calming, masks street noise, cools the air in summer and attracts birds. And a small fountain is a perfectly doable weekend project.
Types of garden fountain
- Bowl or urn — a ready-made decorative basin with a built-in pump; the easiest option.
- Cascade — water flows down stone steps or stacked bowls.
- Pond fountain — a submersible pump with a nozzle sends a jet up from a pond.
- Pondless ("dry") — water bubbles from a stone, jug or millstone into a hidden reservoir under gravel. Safe for children.
- Wall fountain — water flows from a mask or spout into a small basin; good for small courtyards.
Styles range from classic and rustic to contemporary and oriental — choose one that suits your garden design.
Where to put a fountain
It should be visible from the house or seating area. Choose a level spot in part shade near a power supply.
Avoid placing a fountain:
- right next to the house — splashes and damp harm walls and foundations;
- in full sun — the water turns green and evaporates faster;
- under trees — leaves clog the pump and roots can damage the reservoir;
- next to plants that dislike wet conditions.
What a fountain is made of
How to build a fountain yourself
- Choose a reservoir. A ready-made plastic basin, a tank, an old bathtub or a hole lined with heavy PVC or EPDM liner. 100–300 litres is enough for a small fountain.
- Dig a hole 10 cm larger than the container, level the base and add 5–10 cm of sand.
- Set the container perfectly level, backfill the gaps with soil and sand and water it in.
- Choose a pump. Submersible pumps are chosen by lift height and flow rate: 500–1,500 l/h is enough for a jet up to 1 m. Low-voltage 12–24 V pumps with a transformer or solar models are the safest.
- Mind electrical safety: an outdoor socket rated IP44 or higher, an RCD, and cable buried in conduit. It's best to have an electrician connect it.
- Decorate: hide the edges with stones and pebbles, add a nozzle, sculpture or stone bowl, and lighting.
- Plant around it: hostas, irises, ferns and astilbes on the edges, water lilies and other aquatic plants in the water.
Fountain maintenance
- Top up the water — it evaporates quickly in summer, and the pump must never run dry.
- Clean the pump filter and remove leaves every 1–2 weeks.
- Fight algae with pond bio-treatments, shade and plants that compete with algae.
- If there are no fish or plants, you can change all the water monthly.
- In autumn, before frost, drain the water, take out the pump, clean it and store it indoors. Cover ceramic and concrete bowls — freezing water cracks them.
A fountain in a pond
If you already have a pond, add a submersible fountain with a bell, tulip or geyser nozzle. The jet oxygenates the water, which benefits fish and plants, and looks like a natural spring. Read more about aquatic plants, and about shade-loving plants for the edge in our articles on hostas and irises.
FAQ
Can I have a fountain without mains power?
Yes, with a solar pump — it runs in sunshine, and some models have a battery.
How much electricity does a garden fountain use?
A small pump uses 10–50 W — less than a light bulb.
Why is my fountain water turning green?
Sun and organic matter. Partial shade, a filter, regular cleaning and aquatic plants all help.
Decorate your garden and home with flowers too — for example, potted plants from UFL.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
