Gardeners should plan water features for a smaller garden carefully

Gardeners with a small garden should plan any water features that they are planning to add carefully, award-winning garden designer and Chelsea Flower Show exhibitor, Kate Gould, has advised.

“The key to a successful water feature in a small garden is in the planning,” the expert said.

“Site and situation are important factors to consider.”

The designer also advised gardeners to think about maintenance and about what should be added to make a water feature safer.

“Recirculating features where there is no access to open water are safer,” she said. “Open areas of water can be protected with a metal grid immediately below the surface.”

She added: “Sometimes a water feature looks amazing simply as a feature in itself, but to my eye a water feature needs plants: and plants that associate naturally around water are best, think leafy and lush.”