Garden design, garden planning, garden layout, planting plants and planting schemes

Beehive Water Feature

Posted on May 2nd, 2009

Here’s a water feature guaranteed to create some buzz in the garden. A few photos from our latest landscaping project features a garden water feature made from slate and constructed in the form of an old Beehive.  

The distinctive form as well as the soothing and mesmerizing effects as the sunlight catches the running water makes for an overall  striking focal point within the sandstone constructed Raised Planter bed. 

The specimen planting (Pseudosassa japonica and Chamaerops humilis) as well as the foreground planting of Acorus ogon and Rhododendron Baden Baden provide interesting foliage forms making for an overall appealing composition.   

Water Features for gardens

Posted on May 1st, 2009

The soothing sound of cascading water can create a relaxing and welcome feature in any garden. Although there is a wide range of styles from which to choose, for reasons of safety (young children), space availability and low maintenance preferences, people will invariably choose a Reservoir type water feature which is compact (typically 1.0m – 1.8m Diameter) and requires no plumbing. Reservoir water features are the essence of simplicity: water is pumped from the sunken reservoir up through the feature stone (or Stainless steel feature etc) and trickles over the feature to drain back to the tank or reservoir below. This process is simply repeated and apart from an occasional top up of the water during extended dry spells (some water loss can be expected due to evaporation but also the family pets can be partial to an occasional drink!!) reservoir water features require little attention. Here are examples of some popular styles:

Introducing TITAN Stainless Steel Water Features

Posted on March 8th, 2009

A brief word about our recently launched range of TITAN Stainless Steel Water Features. ’TITAN’ – the power to impress, represents a superior range which we hope will be very popular within the  Residential & Commercial markets.

TITAN Stainless Steel Water Features represent the most technically advanced and superior finish water features available in the market. Not only are TITAN water features stunning looking, they have been designed and built to be a robust premium product.  

TITAN Stainless Steel water Features with stainless steel water reservoirs will set new standards as the most popular specification for free-standing and retro-fit installations. Ideal for homes, offices, restaurants as well as a host of other commercial and amenity environments. If you want to make a trouble free BIG impression with a free standing water feature, and enjoy all the the soothing and calming effects of a powerful water feature, you need a TITAN Water Feature – the power to impress.

New Year New Features – adding a water feature for soothing sounds

Posted on January 2nd, 2009

The soothing sound of cascading water can create a relaxing and welcome feature in any garden. Now with the colder months approaching, this might be a good time to prepare for the installation of a water feature to be enjoyed when spring returns.

Practically speaking, any garden can be improved by the addition of a water feature, but space and maintenance requirements will usually dictate that a compact (typically 1.0m – 1.8m diameter) Reservoir Water feature be used. The functionality of Reservoir features is simplicity in itself. Water is pumped from a sunken or concealed container up through the decorative element for example a stone boulder (but other popular choices are Stainless Steel and Driftwood) to trickle over the feature and drain back into the reservoir. The process is repeated, no running water supply is required to operate such features and apart from an occasional top up of the water level during prolonged hot spells, these water features are virtually maintenance free.

Despite their size limitations, reservoir water features are a compelling and visually attractive addition to any garden irrespective of style or size. Appearance can also be enhanced by positioning river cobbles, ornamental Grasses and low growing specimen trees nearby.

Water features are also very popular for their sound effects of cascading water which many people enjoy for its soothing relaxing effects. This offers much potential to introduce a dynamic dimension and transform an area of the garden which would be very difficult to achieve with planting. Because of their compelling appeal, water features are best used as discreet sculptural forms and ideally positioned within well planted areas.

Always eye catching and because of the mesmerizing appeal and sound of running water, it is no surprise that on or near the main Patio is the most popular position for water features. Careful attention to the detailing of the water feature and a thoughtful selection of plants will result in superb compositions. Stone and water are very important elements and no garden is complete without the sound of water gently cascading over stones.

The inclusion of some adjustable spotlights can add fantastic nightime drama allowing you to get more enjoyment from the water feature and planting forms. More details and examples of some of water features can be found here www.owenchubblandscapers.com/waterfeatures

Wet’n'Wild after Plan Expo

Posted on November 10th, 2008

Well the PlanExpo event got off to a very slow start, and many exhibitors were left on Tuesday wondering if things could get any worse.
Wednesday brought a modest increase in visitor levels and Thursday was very busy. Overall one would have to be happy with the overall visitor numbers, certainly quality of visitors was good. We exhibited at Plan Expo to launch our new range of stainless steel Water features, which were received very well. Not surprising there was a tremendous response by Interior Designers and Architects. No point dwelling on negativity, what’s important is to remain focussed and positive and proactively generate awareness and stimulate market demand.

 After the show we dismantled our exhibits on Friday morning and it was back to the ‘day job’ and site duties by lunchtime on Friday. Weather has become very wet’n'wild and with less than 7 weeks to Christmas we’re under increasing pressure to complete projects before the Christmas break. I hope the weather holds up. Bookings for 2009 are up on 2008, which is really encouraging.   

Finally, can I acknowledge and express our sincere thanks to everyone who visited our stand at Plan Expo, and offer my apologies for the
temporary unavailability of our online Shop due to technical upgrade work. We will of course reply by email to all requests for product information. For those people who were unable to visit Plan Expo, here are some photos of some of our new stainless steel water features:

Model rapido

Model staffora

Model tissino

Soothing Sound – Ideas for Water Features

Posted on January 9th, 2008

The soothing sound of cascading water can create a relaxing and welcome feature in any garden. Landscape Designer Owen Chubb turns on some ideas.

HOUSE architecture l design l garden l advice Autumn/Winter Issue 2006/2007 (pdf)