Fountain favorites for 2015

With some areas having their hottest summers on record, it makes sense that sustainable, low-maintenance outdoor design elements are all the rage. Although fountains didn’t make the top 10 project types according to the American Society of Landscape Architects’ 2015 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey, there’s still considerable interest.

In the Landscape/Garden Elements category, decorative water elements were projected to be the eighth most popular option this year. Of the 581 landscape architects surveyed, 57 percent expect fountains, waterfalls and other water features to be in high demand with customers. That’s particularly promising considering project types like “native/adapted drought-tolerant plants,” “low-maintenance landscapes,” “drip/water-efficient irrigation,” “rain gardens” and “rainwater/graywater harvesting” all made the top 10.

Luckily, conservation and water features don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Jennifer G. Horn, a registered landscape architect and the mastermind behind Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture LLC, says people are looking into new options. In Washington, D.C., where Horn is based, the intense summer storms mean traditional fountain designs don’t always make sense. Strong winds can blow water out of fixtures like a spray fountain, which can lead to a lot of wasted resources.

“Customers have become savvier,” Horn says. “They’re requesting ways to manage water better.” In addition to rain gardens, she also sees temporary water features gaining traction with clients.
 

The “wow” factor

Despite Mother Nature-related challenges, Horn says fountains remain a perennial favorite. In fact, Loren Taylor, an indoor and outdoor fountain retailer who sells the products online via SoothingWalls.com, says he’s noticed a “huge increase” in customers who want outdoor fountains with basins and reflecting pools.

“There’s a bigger ‘wow’ factor, but they’re more expensive,” Taylor says, noting the top three brands are Fiore Stone, Campania International and Henri Studio. “I don’t know if it’s because the economy improved and people are able to afford them or what, but we’re definitely selling more of them.”

Taylor has noticed that tiered fountains are a big hit with consumers as well. And homeowners tend to go big, typically purchasing three-tiered options and sizes ranging from 55 to 65 inches. At Soothing Wall, the average price of a fountain is $1,000, but customers haven’t blinked at the price point, she says. One customer went so far as to install a 16-foot pool with the purpose of adding fish to the mix.

This seems to be part of a larger trend toward organic elements. Horn says plants and animals are often added into the mix. For those with deep enough fixtures (and without predators like cats and raccoons) koi are a popular option. Not only are the fish colorful, they can grow to a significant size and live for a long time, Horn says. In the plant category, semi-tropical lotuses, water irises, pickerel weed and papyrus are great picks. Horn also says customers who entertain guests outdoors in the evening are drawn to the fragrant night water lily.

“There’s no shortage of foliage and flowering plants that can be used,” she says, noting that the choice is often determined by the depth of the feature and what zone the customer lives in. “It’s important to carefully consider what level of maintenance is required to make it succeed. If you take on more than you can deliver, it becomes quite a headache.”
 

Natural materials, refined designs

One way customers are avoiding the hassles of maintenance is by investing in well-made water features. Taylor says people are shunning less expensive poly-resin and fiberglass options that last two to three years in favor of cast stone fountains that are higher quality.

“Cast stone is made to last a lifetime,” he explains, saying that people who choose cast stone have the option to pick out the right finish for their needs. With these fountains, the finish is applied by hand, so he suggests customers get physical samples before making a selection. The most popular finishes are grey stone, browns and other dark earth tones.

Horn also sees people going back to natural materials and looks. While she tends to steer customers away from concrete or man-made options, natural stone tends to be a fountain favorite. Overall, she’s noting that people are interested in an architectural design approach when incorporating a fountain or bubbler in their backyards.

“You see a lot more tropical hardwoods being used to accompany and compliment the fountain,” she says. “People are looking for a more refined look.”

Refined, however, seems to be in the eye of the beholder. While Taylor says his customers prefer classic designs reminiscent of mid-century architecture in France or Italy, Horn says city dwellers are embracing modern designs that won’t look out of place where they live.

“People are using fountains in smaller and smaller spaces,” she says. “Those with limited backyards are not pursuing naturalist designs in the middle of the city, such as putting a waterfall fountain on flat land where it wouldn’t make any sense that a waterfall would exist there. They want rectangular or small linear designs for their water features.”

Ultimately, garden centers can succeed in the fountain category by helping customers meet their unique needs. But keep in mind that helping homeowners and apartment dwellers choose the perfect option takes a great deal of consideration, she says.

“What I really love about what I do is problem solving with science and being creative and artistic,” Horn says. “Fountain design takes a lot of science. You have to decide if you want fish and plants or not; moving water or not. There are lots of things you want to think about when designing your outdoor space.”

Karli is a freelance writer, editor and marketing professional living in Portland, Ore.