Choosing an Outdoor Wall Fountain

The sound of water is pleasing to the ear, and the sight is pleasing to the eye. Installing an outdoor wall fountain in a garden adds the musical quality of water to the garden, and it also saves on space, since a wall fountain is installed on a vertical surface.

Materials for Outdoor Wall Fountains

Outdoor wall fountains are made to last. Wall fountains come in just about any imaginable material, from fiberglass to copper. Choosing the right material will ensure that the wall fountain is a good fit for the conditions in the garden and the gardener’s budget.

• Fiberglass Fountains: Fiberglass fountains are affordable and durable. They look like rock, with a faux finish of sandstone or weathered stone. Fiberglass fountains are also more portable and easier to hang than concrete, rock, or metal fountains.
• Cast Stone Concrete: Concrete is another common material for fountains. Ensure that the concrete is a good quality product, or it may crack and break in severe winter weather. Concrete is more difficult to move than fiberglass.
• Resin: Stay away from resin-based fountains that look like traditional kitchen plastics, since they will degrade over time, especially in cold winter weather.
• Metal and Rock: On the higher-priced end of the spectrum, there are fountains of rock and metal, like copper. Small, portable wall fountains that are made out of fiberglass can cost less than $100, while rock and metal fountains reach into the thousands. Fountains that are made out of metal will last over time, although they can develop a patina and change color. Rock fountains may also see some wear if they are exposed to severe winters. These fountains are heavy, beautiful, and deluxe.

Choosing a Location for a Wall Fountain

The gardener may have the perfect location in mind for a wall fountain: a little nook in the corner of the garden, an empty spot on a fence, the entryway of a pond garden. The space will help determine the characteristics of the fountain. Consider the following factors when choosing an outdoor wall fountain.

• Size: How large is the space, and how large is the fountain? There are many sizes of fountains, from miniature ones for a small corner of the yard to huge fountains that can act as the centerpiece of an amazing water entryway to the garden.
• Background Material: There are tiny wall fountains that sit easily on walls and large ones that must have a basin on the ground. Is the outdoor fountain for a small fence? Will it be installed on a house wall? The durability of the background will help determine the size and the weight of the fountain.
• Portability: For those who may renovate, move, or who would like a fountain that can be dismantled or cleaned, the weight and portability of the fountain are important. Plastic and fiberglass fountains are lightweight and easy to move.
• Drainage: What will the fountain drain into? Is it going to be part of a larger water garden, or is it a stand-alone fountain that requires a small catch basin?

Power: How will the fountain be powered? Solar-powered fountains and garden décor are popular for their lack of cords, but they do require adequate access to sunlight. If the fountain is going to be powered with household electricity, where is the nearest outlet? Can the cord be disguised easily?

An outdoor wall fountain adds a new dimension to the garden: the dimension of water, soothing and fluid. Choosing the right materials and a good location will ensure that the wall fountain is affordable, portable, and durable so that gardeners can enjoy the pleasant sound of water for many years to come.