A cascade water feature is defined by a gentle flow over a series of descending levels. The sight and sound of a water feature promote relaxation and a meditative ambiance. Zen gardens use natural elements to create a peaceful space for reflection.
Picture the scene: Rocks are floating islands surrounded by immaculately raked white gravel. The gravel forms aesthetically pleasing patterns around the rocks. If you contemplate the rocks they begin to resemble creatures, caves and other forms. This is the art of a zen garden. Create a harmonious space, with complementary planting and pathways. And with a visually appealing water feature, you only add to the diversity of your outdoor sanctuary.
Cascade water features at a glance:
• Best standing Zen garden water feature: Yanique Resin Webster Water Wall Fountain with LED Light – View on Wayfair
• Best rock effect cascade water feature: Primrose Stone Effect 3 Tier Cascading Fountain with LED Lights – View on Amazon UK
• Best vertical rock effect cascading water feature: Alpine Corporation Outdoor 4-Tier Rock Fountain with LED Lights – View on Amazon UK
Cascading water can embody the feeling of zen as it symbolises flow and a connection to nature. The soothing sound of a small water feature can enhance the mindful quality of a garden. Running water helps to mask unwanted background noise and create a peaceful ambiance while the therapeutic benefit of a water bowl or water sphere – for example – promotes relaxation and improves mental wellbeing. Of course, not all of us have space for a water feature but thanks to its smaller footprint, we can still feel the benefit of a splash of zen with a freestanding vertical cascade.
Before you buy, there are several factors to consider: such as budget, size, and style. A solar-powered water feature is a low-maintenance option for example and comes in a range of designs. Not to mention, it's easy to install; simply plug in and play. We'll cover these points in more detail below but in the meantime, ponder these peaceful and affordable cascade water features.
Best cascade water features
Best standing Zen garden water feature
www.wayfair.co.uk
A trickle bliss for a Minimalist Zen garden. This Yanique Resin Webster Water Wall Fountain with LED Light is made from lightweight resin that resembles hewn stone. It's easy to lift and position, then, when it's filled with water it becomes sturdy. It's powered by electricity so you're guaranteed constant water flow day and night.
Customer review: "Absolutely beautiful, just so easy to install, and very elegant."
Pros
- Minimalist style
- UV and rust resistant
- Has lights so it can be enjoyed at night
Cons
- Needs to be within 10 metres of a plug socket
Best rock effect cascade water feature
Create a backyard waterfall with this stunning rock-effect cascade water feature. The Primrose Stone Effect 3 Tier Cascading Fountain with LED Lights stands 63cm tall and is 145cm wide. Create a stunning focal point in your garden that's bound to be a conversation starter and enhance the ambiance. In addition, the water pools can be illuminated by LED lights so it can be enjoyed well into the evening. This cascade is made of strong polyresin so it's frost and UV resistant. It's main-powered and comes with a pump and cable so all you need to do is fill it and plug it in.
Customer review: "Absolutely delighted with this. It looks so much nicer even than the photos on Primrose's own website. It's not as yellow as some photos indicate, which we wouldn't actually have minded, but it's more of a grey colour and blends in very well with its location. The light makes it look so elegant in the evenings."
Pros
- Stunning rock effect
- Lights up so it can be enjoyed at night
- Reliable power source
- Fully self-contained
Cons
- Note the dimensions, it's large so may not be suitable for a small garden
Best vertical rock effect cascading water feature
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Let your worries ripple away with this wonderful four-tier water cascade. The Alpine Corporation Outdoor 4-Tier Rock Fountain with LED Lights is made from rust and weather-resistant polystone and fibreglass. Trickling water mimics the sounds of a real waterfall and the rock effect makes this look all-natural. This vertical water feature is a good option for a smaller garden that's looking for ripples of harmony.
Customer review: "This water feature is lovely. Easy to assemble and the water is a gentle flow. Well worth the money. Would recommend this product."
Pros
- Realistic stone look
- Vertical design so takes up less space
- Thousands of positive reviews on Amazon
Cons
- Requires electricity to power it
Best cascading bowls water feature
Make a space for self-reflection with this four-tier bowl outdoor water feature. The Solar LED Statues Home Decoration Outdoor Water Feature uses the power of the sun to create a relaxing ambiance. Solar water fountains are eco-friendly, easy, flexible, and require no extra parts. Follow the instructions to attach a solar panel and place the stake in direct sunlight. In addition, there are various colours, styles, and themes available.
Customer review: "Wanted a smallish water feature to sit in corner of patio. This fits the bill perfectly. Easy to put together, just connecting pump/pipe. Solar panel is a good size (size of small iPad) so you need to accommodate this. No problems so far. Lights up and runs away all day and night. I disconnect at night leaving panel to fully recharge."
Pros
- Solar-powered
- Range of designs and heights available
Cons
- Needs a lot of sunlight
Best budget cascade water feature
Promote a sense of calm and relaxation with the GEEZY Garden Water Feature LED Fountain. This freestanding water feature is easy to set up and no plumbing is required, but it does require mains electric. Both aesthetic and functional; flowing water acts as a natural humidifier and the inviting bowls will attract wildlife. Also, this water feature lights up at night and it can be positioned indoors or outside.
Customer review: "Very happy with it so far, looks great in my garden. The flowing of the water sounds and looks great, it also has a couple of lights which will look good when it’s dusk. Not to big or heavy which is just right for me. Very quick delivery and packed well. Would recommend it."
Pros
- Huge range of designs available
- Affordable
- Lights up
- Attracts wildlife
Cons
- Short power cable
Best metal cascade water feature
www.wayfair.co.uk
A bird bath with a difference, this Delmira Metal Tiered Fountain is an elegant 19-tier cascade with rustic silver cups. Make it a statement piece indoors or outdoors, this unusual fountain is made from durable iron. The soft sound of water falling from cup to cup will help you to unwind.
Customer review: "This fountain is well structured and listening to the tinkling of the water flowing from leaf to leaf is very therapeutic."
Pros
- Antique look
- Waterfall sound
- Great for a small garden
Cons
- Not too powerful
Best ceramic cascade water feature
Reflect inner calm with these beautiful ceramic pots that gently trickle water and recirculate it. The Garden Mile Ceramic Royal Blue Solar Powered Water Feature is tranquil with its overflowing bowls and would make a soothing addition to a conservatory. The solar panel is on a three-metre wire, so it can be positioned in direct sun, giving you wider freedom to place the water feature where it best suits in your serene garden.
Customer review: "Lovely addition to the garden – works really well in direct sunlight – make sure it is topped up with water in this weather to protect the pump."
Pros
- Relaxing sound
- Solar panel on a three meter wire so more options for positioning
- Handcrafted effect
Cons
- Only works in direct sunlight
Best contemporary cascade water feature
For a sleek and cosmopolitan look, the Alpine CPS182 Corporation Metal Fountain is a contemporary cascading water feature that wows. Add pebbles to the metal troughs to soften the aesthetic and get the tranquil sound of water falling on stones. This multi-tier water feature has a quiet pump, so it can be used indoors as well as outside. The pump constantly recirculates water, all you need to do is fill it up and plug it in.
Customer review: "Absolutely love this water feature. It isn't made of cheap fake resin material made to look like something else, it's actually a lovely zinc metal. It only took seconds to build as its just four fixings, two of which are fairly fiddly to attach, but nothing a little patience can't solve. It has three falls of water so is a loud water feature, as opposed to the type where the water will silently slide down a surface etc. Which is just what we wanted. It's big too, which is another feature we searched for, as we wanted to see the water feature and not just hear it. Supplied with a regular three pin UK plug on a sufficient length cable. Pump has various settings and is absolutely silent when fully submerged in the water. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Creates a stunning feature wall
- Durable metal
- Can be moved for repositioning
Cons
- Metal can mark
Best cascading water feature for a balcony
This GardenKraft Cascading Water Fountain captures the details of a Zen water garden, with four lotus leaves, a koi fish, and a rotating water wheel. The water feature is mains operated, but the enchanting light is solar-powered. It's a small, all-in-one water feature and ideal if you have a balcony or small outdoor space.
Customer review: "Very nice product found fairly easy to assemble nice and sturdy mains wire not very long but plugged into extension. Solar light is a bonus."
Pros
- Easy to install
- Self-contained
- Sweet design
Cons
- Needs to be near a plug socket
Best barrel effect cascading water feature
Get the mesmerising effect of flowing water with this small Serenity 2 Tier Barrel Cascading Water Feature. Another self-contained fountain that would be ideal for a small garden, patio or balcony, this has a traditional hand pump design. The water is actually recirculated by an electric pump, but the rustic wood and traditional design give this water feature a whimsical feel.
Customer review: "Very pleased with this water feature, it looks as good as others that I've seen that cost £100 more. It was easy to assemble, although we have got a long square tube that we don't know what to do with. The size is quite substantial and exceeded expectations and the water runs as in the advertised picture."
Pros
- Compact
- Simply fill and power on
- Moveable
- A great gift idea
Cons
- Not the strongest pump
What do I need to consider when buying a cascade water feature?
Before installing a cascading water feature, there are factors to consider. In addition to your budget and style preference, here are some key considerations:
Position needs to be a spot where the water feature will fit. The location ought to be visible, accessible and enhance the aesthetic of your garden. Ideally, you want the water feature to be visible from more than one angle so that it creates multiple vignettes.
Size and scale need to fit with the proportions of your garden. Measure the space you have available and note the dimensions of the water feature. On the whole, there needs to be a balance between the garden and the décor within it. Accessories ought to make up 10 per cent of the garden, to some extent this includes water features too. If you have limited outdoor space, opt for a tall freestanding water feature.
Power supply can be solar or mains electric. Some water features and ponds require a pump to circulate the water. A pump that's powered by electricity needs a power socket nearby. This may require hiring a qualified electrician to install one.
Material ought to complement your garden if your aim is to create a zen space. Go for natural materials such as stone or ceramic. Take into account design elements too, such as the number of tiers.
Water supply should be a nearby source in order to top up the water feature. It will be especially important to top up the fountain during the summer months when evaporation occurs the most.
Water circulation should be constant in order to avoid algae growth and stagnation. Most fountains have a filtration system to keep the water clean. In addition, there are water treatments that prevent bacteria growth.
Winter brings freezing temperatures which can cause cracks in water features. You can drain your fountain and store it away during the colder months or use a frost-free water treatment.
FAQs: Cascade water feature
What are the benefits of a cascade water feature?
A fully self contained water feature is low maintenance and a doddle to install: Simply plug in and play. Added to that are the wellbeing and environmental benefits as this decorative feature has some functions too.
Attract wildlife with flowing water. Birds, insects and small animals will appreciate a source of water which will increase the biodiversity of your garden.
Regulate temperature as evaporation cools the surrounding air around the water feature in the summer.
Improve air quality as flowing water releases negative ions. In this instance, negative is good as these ions purify the air.
According to Feng Shui, where should I position my water feature?
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging your surroundings to promote harmony and balance. By designing spaces in specific ways it's believed to attract positive energy. In Feng Shui, place a water feature in the north, east, or southeast areas of your garden. Choose the north for career and path in life. The east for health and family. And the southeast signifies wealth and abundance. Position your water feature to allow the water to flow toward your home.
Along with positive energy, improved wellbeing, this flow helps to create a harmonious environment.
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.