There are many benefits of a water feature:

• the trickle or splashing of water can muffle or even hide traffic and other noise
• the feature will introduce a focal point to your yard
• the sound of water is soothing, sometimes even healing and refreshing
• if you choose a pond, watching fish gracefully swim around the pond can be very relaxing.

A water feature can also be very attractive in the garden.

Examples of water features are water gardens, ponds, fountains and more. Since standing water can attract mosquitoes, it is advisable to include a pump to keep the water moving. A mosquito dunk or fish are also great deterrents.

Landscaping professionals often categorize garden water features into three basic types:

• the water garden in which primary focus is the plants
• the pond which is deeper with the primary purpose being the fish
• the waterfall in which moving water is most prominent

Often you can combine two or all three types in one feature if you have enough space to achieve all of your goals. For example, a water garden should be at least 18 inches deep, while fish will require deeper water (depending on the climate and predators), whilst a reflecting pond is often less than a foot deep.

Ponds, water gardens and reflecting ponds are generally made with either

• a fish-safe pond lining
• a rigid, prefabricated pond material where you dig a hole to fit it
• concrete.

A waterfall tumbles over boulders and smaller rocks or a flat surface. The edge of your water feature can be planted to support the look you wish to achieve whether this be a lush, tropical setting or a desert spring. Moisture-loving plants can be tucked in among the stones and rocks in order to benefit from the spray.

Other types of water features for your garden, patio or deck include:

Patio Pond: This may be outlined with bricks, flagstones or rocks, and either set into the ground or on top of the patio and then accented with potted plants.

Portable Ponds: These are often made from recycled items such as a an old bathtub or large piece of pottery. They can also be acquired at garden centers, like "whiskey barrel" halves complete with liners. A fountain pump may be used, or if a waterfall is desired, one item may serve as the waterfall and the other as the pond. Portable ponds are prefect for small spaces.

Fountains: From classic Grecian fountains to whimsical animals spurting water, your local garden center will stock a wide range from which to choose. You can also make your own with pottery, a pump and some ingenuity.

Table Fountains – For inspiration, search the web for "Table Fountains." You'll see everything from Zen to cherub table fountains. You can make your own with pottery and decorate them with thematic miniatures.

Thematic Water Gardens : These bring elements together around a common theme. For example, a Japanese water garden makes use of natural materials like rock, wood and bamboo. Such a garden could include a stream that meanders from the East to the South and then West for good luck, submerged pots with Japanese water iris, stone lanterns and dwarf pines.

There are many choices when it comes to adding a water feature to your garden, deck or patio. For more gardening and landscaping ideas visit the Gardening Resources website.

Chris Rudolph is a keen gardener and blogger and runs a number of gardening related websites including http://www.gardening-resources.co.uk