A garden water feature is practically obligatory in any show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and in recent years the show has featured everything from gushing waterfalls and water cascading down sleek walls, to tranquil rills and still pools.
Of course, water is a key element in gardens these days, not least for wildlife. But it is also a scarce resource that needs to be saved and used wisely.
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Here are some of the water features that caught our eye in gardens large and small, from the main show gardens to the Balcony and Container gardens.
Garden water feature ideas for your garden
A bench and a bird bath
This natural stone feature immediately caught our attention in Manoj Malde's garden centred around tackling stigma related to HIV. The organically shaped bench leaves room to perch and admire the space on one end, while a carved bowl captures water for birds and other creatures visiting the garden on the other.
Contoured brick surface
One clever detail you might have missed in Nigel Dunnett's Hospitalfield Arts Garden is the subtly undulating brick path. The contoured surface gently directs rainwater from the roof of the 'artist bothy' studio in a meandering line across the walkway and into a dune pool amongst the coastal planting.
A reflection pool
Simple yet effective, a central reflection pool forms a focal point in Kate Terry's ADHD garden. It's designed to "invite contemplation of both human and botanical individuality", and we like the way a curved bench encourages visitors to stop and sit beside it.
The lush green planting peeking out from beneath the bowl is also a lovely touch.
A bathtub with a view
It's not often you see a bathtub taking centre stage on a terrace - and this one in the Fettercairn Wilderness Retreat balcony garden is a showstopper. Designed for wellbeing-boosting cold-water dips, it has a sculptural copper pipe directing water into the tub.
The sound of the droplets falling into the copper base of the bath also makes for a relaxing soundtrack as you wait for it to fill.
Harvesting rainwater
It may be the 'circular toilet' turning its contents into clean water and pathogen-free biochar that's getting everyone talking in the Garden of the Future, but the roof of the bathroom also has an innovative design.
Look up in the garden and you'll see a carbon-capturing green roof, complete with solar panels. It harvests rainwater and channels it into a dipping tank just outside the loo - perfect for soaking seeds and plants, or topping up your watering can.
Water wall
Hexagons play a key role in Manoj Malde's Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma garden, referencing the chemical structure found in many HIV medications. Here, they're reflected not only in the cascading water wall at the back of the space, but also in the metal paving elements making a sleek bridge.
Water drops down between a living wall and flows under the bridge, which is designed to symbolise the transition into a healthy life.
Tidal movements
The Freedom to Flourish garden, designed by husband-and-wife duo, Joe and Laura Carey, champions 'slow-living', inspired by the landscape of North Norfolk. Gabion walls of natural materials evoke coastal cliffs, amongst flowering grasses and sandy-coloured rock, but perhaps the most innovative element is the rising and falling 'tide'.
The designers created metal walkways connecting stone paths, which become inaccessible as water slowly rises - forcing visitors to wait and enjoy time in nature until it recedes once again.
A bubbling bowl
Catherine MacDonald's Boodles Raindance Garden is inspired by the impact of water on stone and the circles droplets make when they fall.
As you might expect, there are several water features throughout this garden, including a round rill under the pavilion capturing droplets from the roof, but this water bowl on the edge of the garden caught my eye. Nestled in amongst the planting, air quietly bubbles up from the bottom of the bowl, creating a calming visual effect for visitors.
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