How to make a multi-level water feature
Gather your supplies
- Tuscan Path Jasper planters in Rust, with 3 drainage holes – extra large, 460 W and 390mmH; smaller, 21W and 1800mmH
- Potting mix
- Plastic bucket, about 150W and 150mmH
- Fountain kit
- Water pump
- Sturdy wire mesh
- Waterproof putty
- Assorted plants
- Pebbles
You'll also need
- Soil tamper
- Spirit level
- Wire cutters
- Secateurs/sharp knife
Here's how
Step 1
Use tamper to compact soil where you want to sit your extra large planter. Ensure it’s level.
Step 2
Position planter, check it’s level, then two-thirds fill with potting mix.
Step 3
Position bucket in potting mix so it sits just below top of planter.
Step 4
Fill planter with more potting mix to about 6cm below rim, so bucket is embedded tightly.
Step 5
Use manufacturer’s instructions to attach fountain tubing to water pump and place in bucket.
Step 6
Cut mesh to shape to rest on top of bucket. Simultaneously slide tubing through mesh (making sure it’s centred).
Step 7
Run power cord over back of planter to your power point.
Step 8
Feed tubing through drainage hole in smaller planter and rest planter on top of mesh so its drainage holes sit over the bucket. Using waterproof putty, plug excess space around the hole that holds the tubing.
Step 9
Cut tubing to just below rim of smaller planter with secateurs or knife. Attach fountain head.
Step 10
Fill bucket with water. Turn on pump to test. Turn off to finish project.
Step 11
Fill extra large planter with plants, then replicate this planting around your garden bed.
Step 12
Place pebbles on top of the mesh and around the plants.
Step 13
Turn on pump.
For you to note
- If there’s no power point near the pump, have one professionally installed.
- Watch for evaporation, especially in hot weather. Top up fountain if needed; if you can’t see the water, look for changes to its flow.
Colour up your shade
This garden is south-facing and only gets dappled light, so the plants need to be shade-loving. Ferns are an obvious choice for this aspect, but there are other shade-loving plants that have colourful foliage and are a glorious substitute for flowers. These include heucheras, fittonias, lamiums, plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’, native violets and many of your traditional indoor plants such as dumb cane or peacock plant.
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