Suffering from a Dull Landscape? Get Over it with a Garden Bridge.
Apr 14th, 2009 by Shari
In every garden, it’s important to have some kind of a focal point, whether it’s an arbor, a gazebo, a trellis, a statue, an outdoor furniture group, a fountain, or even a single garden bench.
Garden bridges also make spectacular centerpieces; but some people think that they won’t be able to use one unless they have a pond or a stream in the backyard. Not true. A bridge can add a stunning new dimension to even the dullest landscape, and make the perfect accent for any garden or walkway.
However, if you want to add a bridge and a water feature, it’s a lot easier to do than it was just a few years ago. Then, if you didn’t have a natural source of water, the only way to get a pond was to pour a concrete shell and fill it with water. It was a painstaking – and expensive – process to install it correctly, and to get the desired shape. A lot also depended upon the condition of the soil, as well as the climate, because freezing and thawing often caused cracking and leaking.
Luckily, things have changed since the introduction of flexible rubber and plastic liners, which allow almost anyone to build a pond of nearly any size or shape. Much less expensive than concrete, they are also incredibly durable, with the higher-quality ones lasting as long as 30 years.
You can also find rigid, pre-formed fiberglass or plastic pond shells. These work well in sandy or soft soil, as erosion and shifting won’t affect the shape of the pond. The drawbacks are that they are available in a limited number of sizes and shapes, and that you have to be a bit more creative with your border stones and plants if you want to achieve a natural look. At the same time, because of their geometric shapes, they are better suited for formal gardens, where you may want to use pavers, patio tiles, or bricks, as edging materials.
As for the crowning touch, which, of course, is the garden bridge, well, that’s the easy part. At DesignerBridges.com, you’ll find all styles and sizes of garden and pedestrian trail bridges to fit nearly any stream, pond, or creek. You can even customize your own covered bridge in a few, simple steps. If you’re wondering which bridge is best for your purposes, just call 888-293-2339 and let one of our design consultants assist you.
Remember, if you’re suffering from a dull landscape, you can easily get over it with a garden bridge.
Yours Outdoors,
Kathy
