 By the fading light of a warm August evening in Pennsylvania, USA; the illuminated displays of tropical, night time flowering water lilies begin to open above their inky black pools. Then the darkness is gently broken by the light of slender rising columns of sparkling water in slowly changing patterns and colours. Unlike fireworks, the colours appeared to be in suspended animation, and when viewed from some distance away, the whole effect is made even more dramatic by appearing to function in complete silence. This is the fountain at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. A truly superb example of using water to create a theatrical spectacle on a large scale.Although a much smaller fountain, the tropical fountain display at Stapeley Water Gardens in Cheshire also relies on changing spray patterns, but its great joy is the enormous variety of sounds produced, punctuated by short silences before each new display erupted.
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| Between them, these two outstanding examples show the full excitement of fountains, all too rarely exploited properly in domestic settings. The special features of the Longwood fountain were not simply its size, but its ability to catch fine water droplets in strong light, both in the day and in special summer evening displays. The Stapeley fountain, with its plumes, gushers, geysers, spinners and ring jets in twelve different sequences, creates an amazing symphony of water sounds, showing how exhilarating moving water can be.
Fountains have always been a source of beauty and, in countries where water is scarce, an object of pride. Gradually, they came to be used to enhance works of architecture - think of the courtyards of Moorish palaces. In the dry, hot climates where they originated, fountains dominated gardens, atriums and courtyards, and the Renaissance, continuing their symbolic role, saw them emerging as sculptural features in their own right; pivotal points in large, symmetrical garden layouts. In the trend to naturalism that has shaped the way we, in Britain, look at gardens, fountains played little part, and were confined to smaller formal areas dose to the house. |
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 Now, as garden design takes its pick from a range of styles, fountains are back in fashion. They can be large or small, formal or informal; anything from a substantial piece of architecture to a simple spout of water emerging from rounded cobbles. The clue to success lies in choosing one that suits the style of the garden, and in setting it in just the right place, where its full effect can be enjoyed. The fountains at Longwood and Stapeley show how the two key elements are light and sound.
Light playing on droplets was the inspiration in the Longwood display, designed to be appreciated at a distance. To achieve the same effect in your own garden, site the fountain as a focal point away from the house, with the light behind it. Droplet size makes a great difference to the play of light, and a good supplier will show you a range of jets to help you achieve this. If you are installing lighting, use a strong, mains powered, high intensity light from beneath. Low voltage lights are only powerful enough in small spaces close to the viewing area, in complete darkness. |
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