Perhaps it's the music of burbling water that is so enchanting about backyard waterfalls, or the tiny rainbows that form in the mist above them, or the ribbons of clear water, sparkling in sunlight, that cascade off rocks. But one thing is certain: Waterfalls cast spells, beguiling and entrancing anyone who sees them. And gardeners in increasing numbers are installing them.
Some hire waterfall specialists to do the work; others do it themselves or buy preformed waterfalls from pond equipment suppliers or well-stocked nurseries and just plug them in (the easiest and often the least expensive option).
No matter which strategy you choose, once the water starts to tumble over rocks, you'll fall under its spell too. And you'll discover that the greatest joy of owning a waterfall is the tranquillity it brings to your garden.
Before you start
Unless you're a contractor, installing a waterfall may seem like a huge undertaking. But pond equipment suppliers have gone to extraordinary lengths to help even first-timers succeed. They offer packaged kits, complete with instruction manuals, videos that describe the installation, and filters, pumps, and pond liners. Or you can buy individual parts to piece together.
Your water garden can be a tiny tuck-in like the one pictured on page 99, or a large complex with many falls, like the one pictured at left. But before installing a large water feature yourself; learn all you can about the process and the equipment options. Take a class (offered by some pond suppliers), and peruse books such as Garden Pools, Fountains & Waterfalls (Sunset Publishing, Menlo Park, 2001; $14.95; 800/526-5111).
For design ideas, check out other water gardens in your neighborhood. Many pond suppliers sponsor tours of residential water gardens early each summer to benefit charities; for details, ask your pond supplier about Parade of Ponds. Other factors to consider are the following.
THE SOURCE. In nature, waterfalls come from somewhere--a meandering stream that disappears into the woods, for instance. To avoid the "spilling from the wall" look and to create the illusion of a waterfall's source, angle the falls and flank them with boulders or plants.
