Arrangement, decoration and decoration of a “dry stream” with your own hands. Dry stream in landscape design - photo and construction technology Dry stream in landscape garden design
“Dry Stream” creates the illusion of a dried reservoir and this technique has been successfully used by professionals and amateurs when designing parks and garden plots. Consider the main types of compositions, give practical advice on arrangement and decoration, as well as describe the stages of creating a "stone stream".
Features of the arrangement of the "dry stream" on the site
The creation of the illusion of waterfalls, the sea surface and the movement of stream flows was originally used in landscape design Japanese gardens. Residents of the land of the rising sun always appreciated laconicism, symbolism, and associated surrounding objects with natural phenomena.
The key elements in the arrangement of the "dried" stream are stones, boulders, pebbles and decorative plants. The size and shape of natural minerals determines the nature of the stream: large cobblestones symbolize raging flows, and small pebbles - water surface. Shrubs, flowers and grass along the riverbed give a natural and organic body of water.
During the contemplation of the “dry stream”, one should get the impression that the mouth has dried out recently and the first drops of rain will bring it back to life.
In addition to the stylistic and decorative role, the “dried up” source performs a number of other functions:
- masking uneven terrain, old stumps, hatches, communications;
- curved shapes streams visually expand the area of \u200b\u200bthe site;
- zoning of space - the smooth shape of a reservoir compose different zones together or divert them to different shores.
Imitation creek will become great alternative artificial pond, as it has several significant advantages:
- safety for children;
- lack of annoying midges and mosquitoes;
- project implementation will not require large financial investments and efforts (work is completed in 2-3 days);
- ease of care.
Varieties of "dried ponds"
Theoretically, you can recreate almost any shape of the stream, use unexpected borders, combine steep waterfalls with channels, etc. However, in practice, the following types of “stone streams” are most often found.
Sand jets - traditional element japanese garden. The composition consists of several thin (up to 20 cm) streams that connect along the course of the stream, or diverge from each other. The effect of artificial waves is achieved by "combing" sand jets with a rake with thin teeth.
Waterfall - the source of the stream is located on a hill, symbolizing a rock, a well or a jug from which water flows.
Sleeve fusion. In this case, a “dry stream” consists of one winding channel or several branches. Such a pond looks spectacular in relief areas, and its device is made so that the stream goes beyond the enclosing elements: a fence, dense vegetation or under a bridge.
The imitation of water can be represented using flower arrangementusing plants of white, blue and of blue color. This option looks very impressive, but more difficult to implement and maintain.
For the channel, gravel, crushed stone or small stones are suitable. The shores are best decorated with boulders and cobblestones. As a "backup" of the mouth can be used wooden bars and branches - the composition looks more naturalistic.
The source of the stream should be located on a small hill, and the mouth should be hidden behind large leaves plants, vine or fern.
If the area of \u200b\u200bthe site allows, then in the widest part of the stream you can arrange a sandbank. Flat large cobblestones and huge boulders can become islands.
To create a uniform flow of water, stones of the same color are selected. Contrast cobblestones along the coasts will add a highlight to the composition.
"Stone Stream" will be better in harmony with the surrounding nature, if it is made out of local mineral rocks.
Cobblestones are used to simulate a waterfall. different sizes, mostly light shades.
The flat stones set by the edge create the illusion of a rapid flow of water.
The original body of water is obtained using decorative pebbles, glass granules or old blue beads.
The use of decorative elements “enlivens” the composition. Great solution will be the placement of the bridge over the "dried pond".
We create a "dry stream" with our own hands
Place and shape selection
The water element, even if it is its imitation, is conducive to relaxation and pacification, so it is better to place the pond near the recreation area, the terrace of the house or gazebo. Alternatively, you can equip a "stream" in the back of the garden, and near it hang a hammock or install a comfortable bench.
When choosing the shape of the future stream, take into account the features of the site - its size and relief.
In order not to make a mistake with the form, it is necessary to outline the contour of the stream using sand or twine. Evaluate how the “pond” looks and, if necessary, correct it.
Preparing the foundation under the stream
The basis of the stream - stones and gravel, are selected in accordance with the selected composition. You can experiment with color:
- slate, gneiss with basalt - blue-gray hue;
- marble and limestone - light brown;
- granite is a red-brown color.
Tip. Processing the stones with varnish will give them a “wet effect”, and coating with waterproof paint with a luminous element will create a stream that will glare at night and resemble a “moon path”.
Arrangement of a channel under a stream
Stages of creating a channel:
- Put the final marking of the future reservoir.
- Take a layer of the earth along the contour - about 15-30 cm. The wider the brook, the deeper it should be.
- Cover the bottom of the pit with rubber, a thick film or lutrasil - this will protect the composition from erosion and germination of weeds. Alternatively, you can concrete the future course of the stream.
Selection and laying of stones
Stacking of stones is carried out in the following sequence:
- Strengthen the coast with large stones. It is better to choose cobblestones of different sizes, but the same in origin.
- Dig large boulders into the ground.
- Gaps between large minerals lay with medium-sized stones.
- The channel is filled with pebbles and gravel.
- You can make the effect of the grotto or create rapids with the help of rock fragments.
- The final stage of laying the foundation is the design of the coastal beach. Pour a layer of sand or crushed bark along the perimeter of the stream.
Video: creating a dry stream
Floristics around the pond
The area around the stream is framed by plants that prefer moist habitats and are associated with water. Such crops include: daylily, Chinese reed, bamboo leaf-grate, reed arundo. All of them have long, thin leaves, reminiscent of river reeds and susak.
Plants with juicy blue-and-blue flowers will remind of coolness and water freshness: lobelia, bluebells, blue fescue, bearded iris and creeper.
Dry Creek Care
- under shrubs, grass and flowers periodically it is necessary to loosen the soil - to enrich it with oxygen;
- regular watering and top dressing with mineral fertilizers;
- prevent overgrowth - cut plants in a timely manner;
- the appeared moss will create the illusion of a river bank, but its distribution must be controlled;
- heat-loving plants for the winter should be covered with spruce branches.
Dry creek in landscape design: photo ideas
"Dried pond" organically fits not only in the gardens oriental styles, but also in any other landscape design. The main thing is to choose the right direction of the stream, color palette composition and do not overdo it with decorative elements.
Dry Stream is an interesting design find for the garden. Arrange one at your dacha, decorate it with a bridge on an iron or wooden base.
How to make a dry creek?
For its arrangement you will need following materials and tools:
- stones of different sizes;
- black agrotex, spanbond or geotextiles;
- rake;
- shovel;
- rope;
- sand;
- pegs.
Now lay the stones. Small ones will imitate water, and large ones you will design the shore. It will remain to plant plants so that this corner of nature looks as natural as possible.
By the way, if you plant flowers of blue, blue shades inside the stream, there will be the effect of the presence of water.
What plants to plant in the country?
Here is one example of how to decorate a dry stream, the photo shows that the following plants are used for this:
- siberian iris;
- gauthier fescue;
- sandy grate;
- bearded iris.
The next option involves the use of conifers.
To design such a dry stream, you need to take the following plants:
- various varieties of juniper;
- stunted pine;
- stonecrop caustic;
- hybrid sedge;
- a creep survivor.
If you like mediterranean style, then look what plants to plant on such a creek in order to achieve the desired effect.
As you can see, here are used:
- host plantain;
- fortune host;
- bearded iris;
- frankincense heart;
- felted stalk;
- low juniper;
- Siberian iris;
- ostrovsky onion;
- heichera small flowered;
- gray fescue.
If you want to add sophistication to a dry stream, then opt for the plants shown in the following photo.
If you have a small area, then it is best to make a dry stream in the form of a snake. This technique of landscape design will visually increase the space, and the plants located near it will help turn this corner into a realistic one.
There are other options for decorating this creation. For the following, you will use plants such as:
- warty birch;
- common viburnum;
- bulrush.
If you do not believe in signs, then, like birch, reeds can also be dug in nature. Bring the rhizomes of this plant by taking them near a pond or lake. But plant in a wet area.
Using these plants, you will achieve volume. Thanks to the background trees, it will seem as if there is a forest that goes into the distance. The front space will become free, the reeds will only slightly cover it.
DIY flower river
This is another design option for a dry creek in flowers.
If you want this man-made work to seem to be running water from far away, then plant blue flowers here. Muscari were used for this. They multiply well, grow rapidly, then after their planting in a few years it will not be difficult to put them in a form dug for a river or stream.
But unlike the first option, here you need to provide soil for plants. Mark the outlines of the future stream, dig the soil with the addition mineral fertilizers. If the land is infertile, then add humus here.
You can use other flowers with a blue color to decorate a dry stream, for example, stunted irises, hyacinths. To shade them, white and pink peonies were planted along the shore of this reservoir. They bloom at about the same time as Muscari, so in the late spring and early summer, this floral charm awaits you.
If you haven't the right plants in such numbers, then you can plant a smaller number of them along a dry stream, decorating it in this way.
Even unpretentious cornflowers or carnations will become a wonderful element of coast design.
If you still like a dry stream of flowers, then make at least a small one if there aren’t enough such plants. Plant blue ones in the center, frame them with plants of a contrasting color. So, red and white flowers perfectly emphasize the beauty of such a stream.
If you have daisies, you love original styles, then put in the background a container that looks like a jug, plant flowers that seem to flow from it. Daisies multiply perfectly by seeds, delenki, self-sowing, so the lack of planting material will not be.
Dry creek design
You can use not only natural stonesbut also purchased painted.
Such material desired color can be bought at a store for gardeners. Do not forget to lay a non-woven material of dense texture at the bottom of the reservoir, and pour colored chalks of pebble blue on top.
You can even buy blue chips, use it in order to arrange a dry stream. With your own hands you can make other objects of its design., Decorate it. To do this, you will need:
- tire;
- large stones of about the same size;
- host
- fern;
- flowering plants;
- thin logs;
- saw;
- small garden figurines;
- self-tapping screws.
To the right or left of the bridge, plant a host, behind it is a fern, and in the background are tall flowering plants. Put a couple of lamps so that after sunset this place is illuminated, adding mystery to it. Also here small sculptures on marine subjectssuch as a duck, a frog.
You can put a small boat in the center of the brook, it will also add realism to the whole picture.
If you want to make not a stream, but a river in order to convey its seething currents, then use stones of different sizes and colors. White, bluish, dark beige will be appropriate here.
Beautifully laid pebbles will also help achieve the effect of flowing water. Put a couple of boulders in the center of the stream so that the flows seem to bend around them.
The alternation of white and blue interspersed with light brown stones will also achieve the effect of flowing water.
Lay stones on the edges of this stream in two or three rows to make the shore taller.
Near the pond will look great, which you can make from ordinary flower pots.
The following tips will teach you how to achieve your desired effects:
- If you want the dry stream to be a gray-blue hue, then use slate, basalt, gneiss for its design.
- If you need to create the illusion of water, then lay granules and glass balls in the channel by the stream. If you do not have such material, use balls made of concrete or stones that you have painted with mirror paint.
- To give a dry stream a brown-red hue, decorate it with granite, limestone, marble.
- To emphasize the structure of the stream, use stones of different sizes to design it.
- The channel looks more natural and elegant if it is of different widths.
- To create the effect of the flow, for this purpose, when designing the stream itself, use flat large pebbles, while the coastline you will form from large stones.
- It is not necessary to make the borders of the stream too clear and correct, it is better to create them heterogeneous, blurry to emphasize its natural appearance.
- If you need to mask the irregularities of the area, put light stones here.
To do this, you first need to study the scheme.
Then using welding machine the base of the bridge is created, four racks will be buried in the ground.
It will be necessary to attach thick boards to walk on them. It is believed that larch is one of top materials for open air. But when dried, it releases sharp hard spikes, which can be injured. Therefore, the masters who made this bridge turned the boards upside down, covered them with an antiseptic.
Balusters to the railing were welded in place, as they need to be customized in size.
Further, also with the help of a grinder, it is necessary to cut out the handrails to the railing the right size, attach them to the ends of the railing using a welding machine.
Then the metal base must be coated with a primer for the metal. Then you need to apply paint. And the last stage is the fastening of wooden boards.
If you are looking for a simpler option, then you can make a bridge for the cottage using the following photo tip.
You will learn more about how to make a bridge in the country from a short video.
If you want to see the intricacies of making a dry stream, then see the next plot.
Dry creek in landscape design is used by designers as a method of decorating the exterior. Moreover, it can be called one of the most common modern tools for landscape design. You do not have to work with water. Stones act as the bottom, which are designed to imitate the bed of a stream that once dried up. The main advantage of this unusual design element is the fact that its arrangement is not accompanied by large ones. Let's see how to arrange it and what materials to choose.
Pros of a Dry Creek
Dry creek in landscape design first began to be used in Japan. Distinctive feature This element of the exterior is an opportunity to equip imitation where there is no way for some reason to bring water. It can be used with confidence on any site that is decorated in garden style. A dry creek in landscape design is simple enough to design without any significant effort. In addition, the implementation of work on the arrangement will take very little time. To do this, it will take about three days. But it will be even easier to take care of such an element of your garden, the work of maintaining the stream consists only in the need to remove weeds and maintain the shape of the channel. If there is a real body of water in the territory, then caring for it involves periodic cleaning of deposits and algae.
In order to choose plants for such a place, you can be guided only by your own preferences. Whereas if a dry reservoir is compared with an ordinary one by this criterion, then only plants that love water are suitable for the latter.
A dry stream in landscape design can be designed even when the family has small children, as it is completely safe. In the described elements, unlike natural ones, mosquitoes are not found that can cause a lot of interference for a good rest. Before arranging the bed of a dry stream, there will be no need to buy expensive compressors, as well as systems that are designed to supply and further purify water.
Shape selection
Despite the fact that the arrangement of the described exterior element is not accompanied by difficulties, this issue should be approached correctly. Initially, you have to plan the location of the channel. You can place the stream in the place where there is a need to hide the imperfections of the relief. Thus, if you make the channel narrow and wriggling, it will allow you to externally deepen the space. This technique is especially relevant for small gardens, the territory of which must be visually increased.
As soon as you have considered design ideas and chosen a form, you can experiment a bit on the ground, for this you should use sand, which draws a contour. After you can determine the shape and dimensions, you can proceed to the choice of material. It is not necessary to use clear boundaries and uniformity when planning the described solution for the site territory. Since your task is to simulate the flow of water. A small river, which has a different width along the course, will look more harmoniously and naturally.
Material selection for a dry creek
Once you have thought about design ideas, you can begin to choose the material. It is from him in a greater degree depends appearance stream. For decor, it is preferable to use large cobbles, however, fine-grained pebbles will look great, however. It is best to combine stones of different textures, sizes and colors. This will allow you to get a natural composition, as if created by nature itself.
Decoration with stones
If there is a need to create a stream, the shade of which will be blue-gray, then it is recommended to use gneiss, slate, and basalt. But to obtain the effect of red-brown color, limestone, granite and marble should be used. Stones can be pre-prepared on their own. To do this, it is recommended to use the method of staining. If you apply this technique, the stones will glow somewhat in the twilight. Developing the site, you can supplement the territory with a stream, the stones at the base of which will be covered with a layer of varnish. They will sparkle in the rays of sunlight. Moreover, in this way it will be possible to achieve which allows us to assume that the stones have just been caressed by water.
The effect of the flow of water can be obtained in another way, which suggests the need for the use of glass granules. As alternative solution You can use glass balls. If you do not want the stream to be very different from the local landscape, it is recommended to use rocks found near the house. The illusion of the flow of water can be obtained by using pebble stones. Rough terrain is easy to veil, using stones that have lighter tones.
Dry river arrangement
After the design of the dry streams is selected, you can proceed with the installation work. To do this, it is necessary to dig a trench along the previously designated contour, the shape of which should resemble a trough. The territory should be rid of the soil layer, going deeper by 15-30 centimeters. Then the foundation pit should be carefully leveled with a rake. In order to exclude the germination of weeds from under the layer of stones, it is necessary to cover the bottom of the pit with dark non woven fabricwhich is capable of passing moisture and air. Geotextiles or lutrasil are perfect for this. You can fill in a very thin layer of the solution, some masters use a polymer film. After the surface has been leveled, and after it is laid, it is permissible to start laying stones.
Making a dry stream, the scheme of which is presented in the article, do not be too zealous. It is important to act moderately. Stacking should begin with the "coast". Cobblestones and a boot should be used to support the edges, but the bare one will perfectly allow laying clefts, the channel should be filled with fine-grained pebbles.
Decoration by plants
A dry stream in the garden will not look harmonious without plants. Of course, you can be guided by your own preferences, but it is advisable to follow the advice of experienced landscape designers. At the same time, shrubby, flowering, and also deciduous plants are permissible. It is necessary to take into account the illumination of the territory, the composition of the soil, temperature and humidity conditions. When designing the channel, it is recommended to use plants growing in water. If pebbles were used, then plants whose shade is associated with water will be able to harmonize with it. It may be forget-me-not or
A dry creek in the country can be decorated using plants that have blue-green hues. A beautiful addition will be, for example, lobelia, bearded iris, as well as fescue. If possible, do not refuse Chinese reeds, loosestrife and sedge.
Additional stream elements
You can issue not only a small river. It is permissible to use not only plants and stones, but also a bridge that can be made independently. In order for the latter to look harmonious, it is recommended to use wood, which is subsequently artificially aged. It is desirable to make such a bridge as narrow as possible, but in length it should be somewhat wider than the stream itself. It is recommended to paint it with a protective varnish, then your design will not be afraid of the effects of snow and rain.
According to eastern philosophy peace, in which we live is the result of the interaction of the elements: metal, fire, water, wood and air.
Any harmonious the landscape must include all these components in order to repeat the beauty and completeness of our world.
If when creating the landscape small plot you can put a metal bridge or a lantern, plant a tree, leave a place for a fire, and there is always air, then with artificial pond may have problems. For it, it is necessary to allocate enough space and provide a water supply, which is not always available.
However, you can use the - dry creek, an element of landscape design that mimics the course of a dried-up water stream: when you look at it, it seems that recently, water ran along these pebbles cheerfully.
While creating imitations creeks on infield use various components: the stones different sizes, glass and even sometimes plastic bottles. To fully reproduce the water landscape, bushes and flowers growing near water bodies are planted around the channel.
Mandatory element - binding structures such as bridges and paths. They not only give the landscape a complete look, but also allow you to cross a dry stream without damaging its components.
A dry stream is created to decorate the landscape and make it complete, but can also be used as functional element. Using it you can:
- Hide drainage bends and hatches at the same time, the stream itself can serve to drain water on rainy days;
- Break the site into zones or combine various poorly combined elements into a harmonious landscape;
- Visually increase space a small plot;
- Create extraordinary and beautiful landscape without extra costs.
If thoughtfully laid out smooth shiny pebbles and add pieces of blue glass, which will shine in the sun, you can achieve the complete illusion of running water, and white large cobblestones become imitation of thresholds and.
Note! Unlike an artificial reservoir, a dry stream will not be a breeding ground for such ubiquitous insects as mosquitoes, which very often spoil outdoor recreation.
Stages of creating a dry creek
Determining the location on the site
Mark outlines future dry creek with sand or pegs with twine.
At this stage, you can make adjustments to your plan, move the channel, change form Contours, bends, and width of a pond simulation.
It should be borne in mind that, according to Japanese traditions, a dry stream should harmoniously fit into the relief as well as a natural stream.
Source located on a hill channel always pointing down.
Many natural reservoirs branch out, the same can be done with artificial: delta from sand streams or several diverging streams on complex terrain.
Any stream is located below ground level, so before laying stones it is necessary to remove upper layer soil up 30 cm to inject flow depth.
- Basalt, gneiss and slate used to give the bottom a grayish blue hue. By supplementing such a surface with glass, you can achieve an unusual visual effect that resembles the appearance of running water;
- Limestone and marble they will dilute the gray-blue streams with light "streams", and from large stones of this type you can create an imitation of rapids and waterfalls. Limestone, due to its rough heterogeneous structure, will resemble vortices, and marble will complete the illusion, gleaming in the sun;
- Granite will bring red and brown shades, from it you can build coastal "cliffs".
Small areas of “shore” and “shallows” created with sand visually soften the relief of the channel.
Note! If you cover a part of the stones with fluorescent paint, then at night a “lunar path” will appear on the stream.
AT execution"Coasts" and "shallows" of artificial flow, you can use any plantsif only they harmoniously combined with each other and with other elements of the composition.
When choosing herbs you need to consider illuminationplaces, soil type, saturation moisture and temperature.
Best used around plants natural bodies of waterbut you can just plant your favorite flowers.
It is believed that better design for a dry stream are low plants with narrow straight foliage:
- Miscanthus Chinese, or Chinese bulrush. Popular ornamental cereal. Young plant it is very vulnerable, therefore it is better to plant it between large stones in order to protect it from the cold wind;
- Helianthus (sunflower) loosestrife. It goes well with many plants. It tolerates cold;
- Day-lily. It can grow in the shade, but blooms profusely only in a well-lit area;
- Leaf grate bamboo. One of the most decorative and fast-growing species of bamboo;
- Cortaderia, or pampas grass. Looks great in the design of the coastline. Unpretentious, drought resistant. Her furry panicles will become beautiful decoration garden in winter.
The alternation of these herbs will add to the shore natural outlines. The main thing is not to abuse tall plantswhich, if you land them along a dry stream, simply hide it from the observer.
Perception of a dry stream as a water stream will help strengthen plants with inflorescences of blue shades:
- Aubrieta. It is very decorative, forms bright carpets in the spring, sometimes blooms repeatedly in the fall. Leaves remain on the plant in winter;
- Lobelia. In late summer - early autumn, the eye pleases with small sapphire-colored flowers or blue with whitish centers. Needs a lot of sunlight and regular spraying;
- Blue fescue. One of the most decorative cereals. It goes well with dark blue pansies;
- Ayuga, or tenacity. Retains its decorative summer season. It looks impressive in the indentations between the stones;
- Bearded iris. A very beautiful and popular plant in landscape design.
Advice! Some areas of the bottom and shore can be covered with moss, this will give naturalness to a dry stream.
Japanese style in landscape design is a combination of nature and man-made elements.
Therefore, there will be no dry stream to look like finished without bridges, sculptures or other details which, meanwhile, can serve their intended purpose.
Bridges can be used to cross the stream without damaging the feet on the stones, while they will visually connect different areas of the site.
Sculptures people and animals will enliven the landscape.
You can also put or trolley with flowers.
Dry creek can be combined with a real body of water. For example, use it as drainage system to drain water from the pondwhich will thus become the composite source of the dry stream.
You can do the opposite: make the stone stream flow into the pond. In this case, if the height difference is large enough, you can create a composition of dried waterfalls, and during a heavy rain, live jets of water will cheerfully run along it.
The main thing is to remember that the Japanese landscape is naturalness and asymmetryEverything should repeat the natural landscape.
The shape of the channel and the design of a dry stream can be very diverse and depend only on your imagination. We bring to your attention several design options:
Any object of landscape design requires constant attention. Caring for an artificial stream is not difficult:
- In the spring need to take care of the plants to loosen and fertilize soil;
- Occasionally ubiquitous weeds still break through the stones at the bottom and banks of a dry stream, in which case they are necessary delete, although some wildflowers, such as chamomiles and bells, can be an additional decoration;
- Growing up grass around the channel you need to periodically undercut;
- Do not forget that the stream is still dry and not real, so the plants around it must be regularly to water like any flower bed;
- Fall dry creek need to clean from fallen leaves;
- Before in winter plants that are prone to freezing need to insulate.
Details on how to make a dry stream with your own hands are described in this video:
