Use of water in the landscape

Use of Water in the Landscape

Presented by: Aaron Scarlata

Blue Thumb

Business Development Manager

For: MSU Student Education

Manufacturer & Distributor of Quality Water Feature Equipment

& Supplies to Landscape Contractors & Re-sellers

Blue Thumb a Michigan Company


Working with people made (cents) sense

Blue Thumb is Born!

Early interest in pets & fish as a child

Founded in 2000

Saginaw Michigan

“Follow a passion and let your business come after”

(unknown wise person)

Growth & Development

Need more room!

From this…

…To this - 2003

3200 sq. ft. Additional Space - 2005

PondBuilder is born! - 2006

It wasn’t pretty, but it was cheap!

22,000 sq. ft. added - 2011

Grew to over 50,000 sq. ft.

Develop business relationships for sustainable growth

Team of experts in Design \ Construction \ Marketing

Build lasting impressions, relationships & enjoyment


Present quality water feature options

Provide dependable equipment & supplies

Educate the professional & end user

Keep products attainable

Build a strong industry-minded community

Our Role in the industry

Living with Water

Creating Focal Points through the use of

Water Features becomes a common

thread in design

Historically the use of water

Water around the world was valued for it’s pure essences & ability to help us grow as humans.

We Drink It


We Manipulate It


We Push It To the Limits


Persian Fountains “Paradise Gardens”

“The treatment of water achieves new heights of ingenuity. Within each garden

the variation of mood was dictated by changes in the treatment of water…

... a rarely equaled harmony or movement and contrasting stillness resulting in a complex interplay of sound, light and shade reflection".

We Manipulate It

Practical Uses: Forms over Function

TAKE AWAY: Use of Precedent and Art can help Designers meet both Function and Form for waterscapes

Maximizing water’s potential

MUGHAL GARDEN - Developed with the

expansion of the Arab Empire in Northern India. The exceptional qualities of these gardens arose because they were developed where water was plentiful and the Mughal designers were able to make use of it in a way that would, no doubt, appear profligate to the Arabs who inhabited less generous climes.

Note: Designers engineered water systems using water captured off the near by Himalaya Mountains.

We Push It

Moorish Fountains

Moorish Fountains

Capturing Water Flow

Use of Water Then vs. Now

Capturing Water Flow

Water envelops the landscape in a manner as

to play upon the topography, the channelsof human conflict and the

ways in which humans inhabit it’s edges.





The Water Feature Movement

WESTERN GARDENS- Has its roots in Greece and

Ancient Rome. With the coming of the renaissance to Italy, and Rome in particular, the water garden developed, using the plentiful water supply of the hills combined with basic piping and gravity. It was only with the development of the water powered pump that the styles evolved in the Roman hills were able to be used in the gravity fed fountains.

Thereafter the styles of water gardens of Rome and Italy were able to spread to greater Europe where they were adapted by the French to reach a formal zenith at Versailles.

THE Water Table at Villa Lante. Bagnaio.

Finding Balance & Symmetry

"The whole design of the garden is etched in water. From the rock face at the top a little waterfall fills a rough stone pool.

The water is then led down the center of the garden in stages each more sophisticated than the last until it reaches the water-parterre at the bottom.

The entrance to the garden is at this level and is reached by steps which pass above a large curved pool with sculpture by Giambologna in the center.

This pool has a crucial function since it links the formal garden with its counter-balance, the half-wild woodland threaded with paths and occasional fountain jets."

Trevi Fountain- Rome

Natural vs. Formal Spaces

ORIENTAL GARDENS- It is in the recreation and

exploitation of natural effects with water that the Chinese and Japanese water gardens excelled, In fact they took it to such a pitch that they reproduced the effect of downward flowing water using sand and rocks.

Exploited Edges & Texture

The philosophy of oriental gardens evolved around the creation of places of

solitude and contemplation, working with, rather than overcoming and taming nature, and it is only in this

context that it is relevant to fountains.

Oriental Gardens

Naturalistic Approach

It was seen, unlike the European renaissance movement, to present a more naturalistic, stylized form of gardening.

Use of Water’s Sound

Western Movement

Aachen Cathedral- Germany

Borrowed Scenery- English Garden

Borrowed Scenery- English Garden

Mixed Uses of Water

Design Spaces with Water



Water Features in North America

National & City Icons

Water Features in North America

Exploiting the Edges

Design Conflicts

Design misunderstandings and poor material choices

Use of Lighting to Enhance Water

Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, IL

All Water Features Have a Place

Types of Water Features

water٠garden (n)

A gravel bottom pond naturally

balanced with bacteria, rocks,

gravel, aquatic plants, and a

few fish.

Water Garden Ecosystem

Water Garden

Water plants & sounds

Texture & Rock Placement

People, Pets & Water

Koi Ponds

Koi Pond Living

Koi- “Gem” of the Water

Creating a Habitat for Koi

Swim Ponds

Cascading Falls

Who should choose a Cascading Waterfall? If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond then a Cascading Waterfall is your best choice. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. But remember, you will be limited on aquatic plant choices and you cannot have fish with a Cascading Waterfall.

Cascading Falls

SpaceThe small size of a Cascading Waterfall means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in your yard- front or back!

Cascading Falls

SafetyBecause there is no pool of water, a Cascading Waterfall is a great option if you are concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond.

Cascading Falls

MaintenanceTaking care of your Cascading Waterfall is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for evaporated water is all that’s required. Or you can install an automatic fill valve and eliminate virtually all maintenance!

Cascading Falls

Traditional Fountains

Bubbling Rocks & Vases

Who should choose a Rock Column Fountain?Anyone seeking a larger bubbling rock system that will offer more sound than a single element.

Bubbling Rocks & Vases

Fountain Components

Who should choose a Ceramic Vase Fountain? Homeowners, Renters, you name it because Ceramic Fountains are portable, easy to install and deliver a soothing sound of water.

Fountains in the Landscape

Contemporary Fountains

Who should choose a Formal Falls Waterfall?Anyone installing a paver patio with a wall element should consider a Formal Falls. Or anyone looking to add a formal sheer waterfall to their landscape, fountain or swimming pool.



SpaceThe compact size of a Formal Falls means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in your yard. Four different standard waterfall widths are available or a custom unit can be created for your specific project.


CostThe installation cost of a Formal Falls is varied and depends on the type of wall material being used as well as the width of the falls you wish to create. Please consult your Authorized PondBuilder Installer for information. Pump operating costs are less with a Formal Falls because it’s not necessary to run the pump 24/7. You can set the pump on a timer to operate only when you are home.


MaintenanceTaking care of your Formal Falls is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for evaporated water is all that’s required. Or you can install an automatic fill valve and eliminate virtually all maintenance!


Interactive Fountains



Family Interaction

International Value

Iconic Fountains

Natural Ponds & Lakes

Wetlands & Bio-retention

The role of Aquatic Vegetation

The role of Aquatic Vegetation

Role of the Nitrogen Cycle

Wetlands for the home

Community and Private Rain Garden

Connecting Wetlands in the Future

Working with Professionals

Designing Your Water Feature

The role of inhabitants & plants

The Friendly Awareness Team

The role of fish & plants

Water Lilies

Water Lilies

Floaters

Water Lettuce

Water Hyacinth


Aquatic Bog

Marginal

Forget Me NotCork Screw

Lotus



Becoming a Water Feature Professional

During the Consultation

• 1st: Ask to see the space

• 2nd: Sit down to show ideas

• They might know exactly what they want or they could be looking for your professional advice

Good Investment

• Every new water feature hobbyist tells us that the money they invested into their water feature was the best money they ever spent.

• What is peace of mind worth to you?

• You’ll be happy to know that an investment in your landscape is the best and most cost effective way to increase the value of your home.

• I like the sound of that!

How to become involved

www.pondbuilder.com

www.bluethumbponds.com

Join us socially

Questions

Join us socially

View our websites

Email me your questions:

[email protected]

Aaron Scarlata- BSLA \ Business Dev. Mngr.

Connecting with Blue Thumb

mailto:[email protected]

Use of water in the landscape

Design

water humans

use of water features

welcome use of water

water channels

poor uses of water

use of waterwe

use of waterwater

use of precedent