The combination of stone and water is perfect and creates a lot of variety in the home garden. With a little skill, the creek finally looks as if it had always been there - and not artificially created. In an architectural garden, on the other hand, a water channel, which was created in a brick bed, for example, or other modern gadgets, fits better.
Water and stones go wonderfully together
It doesn't work without technology
Even if the future course of the stream should appear natural and “as if it had grown naturally”, it cannot do without technology. Special pumps with 220 volt mains operation can be used for this purpose. Of course, this requires the laying of a power supply, whereby hoses & Co. can be hidden very well behind larger boulders and under stones. The technology does not have to be buried to protect it from frost, since the pump has to be removed in winter anyway. Pond liner, which is laid on a geotextile mat to protect it from damage, is best suited for sealing the water surfaces. Of course, once the work is complete, the film must no longer be visible.
Make the course of the stream natural
Ideally, the stream runs down a more or less steep slope, depending on the existing conditions. For example, if you combine the stream with a pond, you can use the soil that accumulates during the excavation to model a hill. It is also important not to let the slope run in an even gradient. Instead, it looks more natural when you build in different plateaus and elevations. Damming up the water in flat areas also brings variety, as do small waterfalls and cascades. Also remember that water always takes the easiest path: abrupt changes in direction and too many curves look too artificial.
Design of the creek bank
It is also optimal if you plan the stream with different water depths - then you have more options for planting. In general, the planting and design of the stream bank is of great importance for the natural effect, because a newly created watercourse always looks a bit barren and rugged. Plant the bank with suitable perennials and shrubs that create the right setting. As in nature, broken stones belong in the stream or garden pond and pebbles only in the bank area.
tips
Hide the film edges well - protruding edges can be easily camouflaged with gravel. Flat blocks can then serve as stepping stones or even seats.