Waterfalls and Streams
| Waterfalls and streams present endless opportunities for enjoying moving water. With modern submersible pumps, they are also very easy to manage. Construction can take many forms, from traditional concrete and pond liner features to pre-formed shapes and self-contained units. All have a role to play in the introduction of moving water into the garden.
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 Waterfalls and streams present endless opportunities.
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 A modern biological filtration system can double as a waterfall header.
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Apart from their aesthetic value, both waterfalls and streams can be functional and built into the water garden’s filtration scheme. Instead of having a filter, which merely functions as a filter it is possible now to introduce a biological filtration system which can double as the stream source or a header to a waterfall or cascade, the water from the pond being pushed through a planted filter bed before being returned to the pond.
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| For most water gardeners this is unlikely to be an important consideration, for it is the waterfall or stream that is the real desire. The former can make a great difference to a water garden, but equally it can mar it, for if not properly executed it can be a disaster. The two main aspects that have to be absolutely right are the visual appearance of the flow of water and the flow rate itself. Also the provision of a suitable practical and visually appealing edging.
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 A properly constructed waterfall or stream transforms a garden.
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 Getting the flow right with a waterfall is absolutely essential to its success.
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Obtaining the correct flow rate and ensuring that the water flows in the manner desired over the waterfall are not difficult objectives to attain with a little pre-planning. Using a sufficiently powerful pump and ensuring that the waterfall units, or the finished waterfall lip are even, and with a slight kick-back, ensures success. Under-estimation of the size of the pump that is necessary to achieve the desired result is the most frequent cause of problems.
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Difficulties with edging are common with both waterfalls and streams, but can be addressed if both are planned carefully from the outset. In most cases skillful planting brings the best results, but sufficient provision must be made at the time of construction to allow for the plants to develop their root systems unhindered. When carefully contrived it need not be just moisture-loving plants that are grown, but other garden subjects, if the pockets of soil are isolated from the water.
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 Disguise the edge of a waterfall or stream with spreading plants.
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