Is It Difficult To Create A Mountain Stream Garden?

A stream that runs across a mountain is a rare spectacle and one which is very enchanting. The water gurgles and speeds around boulders and aquatic plants. The rush of water flows gently around boulders and aquatic plants. The rush of water flows gently over dark pools, while negotiating tight curves. Trout and Salmon are transported from the mountain lakes, down the slope into the valleys. You can have this immaculate water design by creating a mountain stream garden.

A mountain stream water garden needs to be very rocky which helps the water gush over boulders and falls. The water must flow violently and quickly. The stream of water needs to be strong enough to carry debris and small rocks to the bed and there should be few plants in the water. This mind blowing garden design requires a lot of space to allow the onlooker to eb able to absorb the whole scene.

When should I get the mountain stream design pattern for my garden?

This garden pattern would be ideal for a spacious, rocky and steeply sloping site in the country. Transportation costs for moving boulders up the mountain will be high so it would be wise if you have a source of stone close by. This water garden style would not be feasible in a small level town garden.

If you do not have slopes in your site then do not worry, you can still be able to create this design by building a small fragment, a small bent and one fall. Alternatively you can have a rush of water running swiftly in and out of the garden from under a decking to run back into the ground.

Creating A Mountain stream garden

The ideal site should be about 30m wide and 60m long. The site needs to be on a gentle slope to allow you to create this fast-flowing, rocky stream with numerous falls.

  1. Draw up a sketch of the design - then make a detailed diagram taking into consideration the house, boundaries, structures and large trees. Drains also need to be noted.
  2. Get rid of all unwanted plants - give them to your friends if you do not want to destroy them.
  3. Plot out the path and dig up a series of U-shaped trenches
  4. Dig a sump hole at the low end of the stream
  5. Carefully grade the trenches ensuring that they fall into each other
  6. Edge the excavation with a low brick or block wall
  7. Cover the trenches with geo textile and butyl liner
  8. Set rocks and stones on pads of textile so that they are hard against the bricks
  9. Install a water pipe that will channel water from the sump pool to the top end of the stream
  10. Gently fit the pump in the sump
  11. Put some rocks in the stream to cover the bricks
  12. Add plants such ass Japanese irises, grasses and willows onto the edges of the side of the slow bend

Care and maintenance

Ensure that the pump is always functioning correctly as it is the one that pushes the water down the slope. Dead leaves, debris, dirt and mud need to be removed from the sump. Keep both ends of the water pipe clear and clean the pump regularly. Do not allow the sump to become dry...always top up the water level.

Pruning The Water Garden Plants...
Pruning is the process of removing parts of a plant in order to train and shape it. Pruning the plants in the water garden ensures that the plants become healthy, grow and flowers correctly.