May 2011

First of all what is social media? Well in simple terms social networking is a word that has been thrown around a lot in recent years, it is a platform such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube that is used to bring together people who share common interests and enjoy dicussing and sharing ideas with one another.  That being said, UK Water Features would like to invite you to join the thousands of people currently following us on our social media networks. The social media phenominon is a great way for you to keep upto date with what is is going on with UK Water Features. Been a member of our networks on either Twitter or Facebook (or both) you will recieve exclusive offers, competitions, information and engaging conversations with fellow garden and water feature enthusiasts.

To hop on board our social media bandwagon simply follow these easy directions and you will be imediatly connected to thousands of people just like yourselves.

For Twitter simply click @waterfeatures and then click on the 'Follow' tab, simple.

For Facebook simply click here to be directed to our Facebook page where you will notice at the top of the page a 'Like' tab. Click and enjoy the benefits of being part of our social media networks.

Social media is a great way for you to interact with people who share a common interest. Along the way you will recive the benefit of exclusive discounts, competitions as well as free tips and tricks to help you enhance your gardens.

We look forward to seeing on board soon! 

If you are lucky enough to be one of the attendees at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show then it may be worth planning your visit beforehand. With the wide array of gardens and features on display along with the activities and local attractions planning your trip down to London will certainly benefit you to help use your time efficiently.

First of all, you need to know the location and the official opening times for the event. As we all probably know by now the event is located at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London and the opening times are as follows.

May 24-27 8am- 8pm & May 28th 8am - 5:30pm with a 4pm sell off.

Travelling to and from the Chelsea Flower Show

Public transport

It is recommended that visitors travel to the show by public transport. Please visit the Transport for London Journey Planner for more information on public transport in and around London.

Tube & bus

Sloane Square tube station (on the District and Circle Lines) is a 10 minute walk from the showground. Please check the TFL website for the latest information, and make alternative travel arrangements if necessary.

Bus numbers 11, 137, 211, 360 and 452 stop closest to the showground, while bus numbers 19, 22, 319 and C1 stop at Sloane Square.

For further information on tube and bus travel, visit the Transport for London website or call 020 7222 1234.

Rail

London Victoria is the closest train station to the show. For information on rail services, visit the National Rail website or call 08457 484950.

London General operates a shuttle bus service between London Victoria (Hudson’s Place) and the showground (Barrack Gate, Chelsea Bridge Road) from 7am to 8pm each day (6pm Saturday).

Prices for this service are as follows:

Adults: £2.50 single, £4 return

Children, senior citizens, Oyster card and travel card holders: £2 single, £3.50 return

Parking

Public parking, including for orange/blue badge holders, is available in Battersea Park on a first come, first served basis. Battersea Park is located outside the Transport for London congestion zone and is approximately 20 minutes’ walk from the show. Alternatively, a park & ride service is available; buses, including a mobility bus, operate at frequent intervals between Battersea Park and the showground’s Bull Ring Gate entrance.

There are more than 2000 spaces available from Tuesday to Friday, but on Saturday fewer spaces are available due to other public events in Battersea Park.

Wandsworth Council parking charges apply as follows:

Cars: £25 per day, £15 after 2.30pm

Coaches: £35 per day

Motorcycles: no charge

Please note that there are no reduced rates for disabled visitors.

Throughout the event there is a wide range of food and drink to suit everyone's taste. Restaurants ranging from 3 course meals to cafes, seafood, sandwiches, cakes and snacks will be served throughout the day.

The Chelsea Flower Show is yet again set to be an amazing event, with garden displays designed to please everyone. If you are going to the event this year, there are many different gardens that may interest you. Gardens such as the growing your own, tropical style planting, structural planting, plant collecting, contemporary, urban chic and romantic gardens are all on display.

UK Water Features wishes everyone to have a fabulous week down at the Chelsea Flower Show. As we have several of our water features on display this year we would love people to send in their pictures of the event to us to display on our Facebook page.

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show has gotten off to a great start. Yesterday was opening day at the show and while many of us sat and watched the event on the television there were some lucky people who were able to get their hands on some tickets for the event. It was nice to see that for the 9th year in a row, Yorkshire was represented as one of the featured gardens.

'The Leeds Garden' was on show down in London yesterday and attracted thousands of spectators who were influenced by this magnificent garden design.

Description of garden

A slice of Yorkshire in Chelsea, a stone mill house complete with waterwheel is surrounded by semi-naturalistic planting, evoking old industrial Leeds. With areas of dry and damp shade the planting is more tamed and 'gardened' close to the building and, as you get further away, increasingly wild containing native species which will support local flora and fauna. An old boundary wall with ferns tucked into the stonework and large loniceras cloaking other boundary surfaces make this an intimate space which appears to have been here for years and that's Martin's aim, through sound, sight and scent, to create an atmosphere of days gone by. However it's not just looking to the past when the power of water built cities like Leeds, but also the future and water's potential role in the supply of sustainable energy.-BBC

The designer of the garden was influenced with his deisgn by the his love for his home town and heritage. Watermills were directly referenced as reference point for the design. The use of the watermill is a fantastic idea to create a unique water feature within this creative garden design.

List of plants planned to feature in garden

Geranium robertianum - Herb robert

Geranium macrorrhizum - Big-root Crane's bill

Menyanthes trifoliata - Bogbean

Myosotis scorpioides - Water forget-me-not

Primula bulleyana - Bulley's primrose (candelabra primulas)

Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn

Acer campestre - Field maple

Alchemilla mollis - Lady's mantle

Lychnis flos-cuculi 'White Robin'

Thuja plicata - western red cedar

Viburnum opulus - guelder rose

Everyone here at UK Water Features wishes Paul Ackroyd and Martin Walker the designers of the Leeds Garden this year at the Chelsea Flower Show the best of luck.

Today sees the offical start of the Chelsea Flower Show (24th-28th May). It is a highly significant event in the gardening world where millions of people come together for 5 days to both celebrate the highest quality horticulture and view some of the amazing gardens and features that are on display. Hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Rotal Hospital Chelsea in London, it is widly considered to be the most famous show in the United Kingdom, infact it could possibly be the most famous gardening event across the globe. The event plays a crucial role for the social scene throughout London and is hugely anticipated throughout the year.

With the show being such a large event, there are many designated areas of interest. One of the more popular parts of the Chelsea Flower show include the 'show gardens' which are designed entirely by some of the top names in the garden design industry. This year sees several of the 'show gardens' featuring various water features. A popular trend this year seems to be in the inclusion of stainless steel water feature. The event really is great time of the year for both spectators and businesses. While it is a ticket only event the BBC televise the entire show for the enjoyment of the garden fanatics who prefer to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own home. It certainly will be very interesting to see how the week unfolds.

The programming time are as follows:

Evening programmes
Sunday 22 May 18:15 - 19:00 on BBC One
Monday 23 May 19:30 - 20:00 on BBC One and 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Tuesday 24 May 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Wednesday 25 May 20:30 - 22:00 on BBC Two
Thursday 26 May 20:00 - 21:00 on BBC Two
Friday 27 May 20:00 - 21:30 on BBC Two
Saturday 28 May 19:30 - 20:00 on BBC Two
Sunday 29 May TBC on BBC One

Daytime programmes
Monday 23 - Friday 27 May 2011 12:30 - 13:00 on BBC One

If you are not familiar with Henri Studio water features then this will be a really interesting read. There is a overwhelming sense of elegance that a Henri Studio water feature brings to one’s garden. With a company with a brand like Henri Studio's there is no wonder that these water features are one of the most sought after centre pieces in many gardens across the globe.

Tuscany, in central Italy, is known for its olive oil, wines and beautiful scenery. It is also the cultural heart of Italy. Centurineri  Prosperi, the founder of Henri Studio came from this area, but emigrated to the United States more than sixty years ago.

A sculptor in cast stone and marble, Prosperi brought his rich heritage of old world artistry to America and began a small business in the basement of his home. Early on he developed a method of combing time honoured sculpting techniques with stone casting technology, enabling him to mass produce extremely durable, artisan quality statuary and cast stone creations.

Today more than 40 years later Henri Studios is the world’s largest manufacturer and designer of fountains and garden décor.

Henri Studio has built up a worldwide reputation for quality, durability and original design. Some of the key characteristics of a Henri Studio water fountain are their exciting and original designs, the rich sculptured detail that goes into each piece, the efficiency and reliability of the fountains and lastly the quality of the materials used in each features is guaranteed to be of the finest and purest quality that will stand the test of time.

Henri Studio fountains are all manufactured in their 125,000 square foot state of the art factory in Wauconda Illinois, in the United States of America.

One of the more popular fountains from henri studios is the Low Equinox Fountain Water Feature, a fantastic water feature. Check out the video below to see the beauty of the Low Equinox Fountain.

Adding a fountain to your garden is a great way to increase the overall look of your garden, creating a unique focal point or centre piece to your garden. Henri Studio offers a wide range of different designs that are sure to suit any garden of any size. With products ranging from large and luxurious such as the Grande Kensington Three Tier Fountain in Toscana Pool to the smaller yet just as beautiful such as the Alfresco Fountain.

These fountains are certainly a step above the rest in terms of quality, design and engineering.

With summer coming up quickly it may be worth considering a little shift around in your garden to create a new and relaxing feel to your garden. Using you water features and garden features to reflect a peaceful ambiance throughout your garden is actually quite simple. I am sure most of us have heard of the term 'feng shun' but what does it actually mean, and how can you use it in your garden.

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive energy. Now if you are sat there wondering what am I talking about and how does this relate to my garden then the reasoning behind it is actually quite simple as your garden can be one of the most relaxing areas of your home.

Good Feng Shun design in your garden can easily attract a nourishing and positive energy to your garden as well as a satisfying all of your senses.

Feng Shun is actually suitable for any sized garden. It is not a case of the bigger the garden the better energy that will be produced. It is still possible to create a positive energy even in the smallest of gardens. When considering Feng Shun in your garden you need to take into account the five elements of feng shun.

For example, the northeast corner of your garden is considered to be connected to the energy of personal growth and self-cultivation. The feng shun element connected to this area is Earth. In essence this is a perfect area to create a beautiful rock formation with the use of aggregates. Here are the other feng shun elements that need to be considered in your garden; wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each element is also associated to a colour.

Wood - Green and Brown

Fire - Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple and Pink

Earth - Light Yellow and Light Brown

Metal - White and Grey

Water - Blue and Black

For the purpose of this blog, adding a water feature to your garden will be most beneficial to add the feature in feng shun areas such as Southeast (Money & Abundance); East (Health & Family) and North (Career & Path in Life), these are all excellent areas to place a water feature to receive the most positive energy. Another element of a well designed feng shun garden is the addition of slow curving pathways to demonstrate good energy. If you are considering adding a garden play area for your children then the west feng shun area is the recommended area as this area that is related to creativity.

When creating your garden feng shun make sure you reflect colours and nature that will bring you pleasure to look at in your garden. Feng shun is a very relaxing and positive combination of elements and when done correctly it can provide you with the relaxing energy that you are looking for.

Oak barrel water features are certainly a popular feature in many gardens across the UK. However, where did these barrels originate and what was their original purpose.

Well the Oak barrel in fact has a extensive and interesting history as oak barrel actually plays a significant role in winemaking and can have a profound effect on the resulting wine, affecting the colour, flavour and texture of the wine. Oak can come into contact with wine in the form of a barrel during the fermentation or aging periods. It can be introduced to the wine in the form of free-floating oak chips or as wood staves (or sticks) added to wine in a fermentation vessel like stainless steel. Oak introduced in the form of a wine barrel can impart other qualities to the wine through the process of evaporation and low level exposure to oxygen. Wine barrels, especially those made of oak, have long been used as containers in which wine is aged. Aging in oak typically imparts desirable vanilla, butter and spice flavours to wine. The size of the barrel plays a large role in determining the effects of oak on the wine by dictating the ratio of surface area to volume of wine with smaller containers having a larger impact.

That been said, why are we using these in our gardens as a water feature? Well simply put these types of water features offer a certain traditional yet classy look to any garden. Many of the oak barrel water features are handmade from traditional oak up in Scotland. The water features are crafted from recycled whiskey and wine barrels by traditional construction methods in order to create these unique look. Considering the time and the effort that went into crafting these historic features, there is no wonder that these are considered to be one of the more popular water features amongst other such as stainless steel or resin water features.

Oak barrel water features are generally used as a show piece in your garden, they offer a traditional focal point for which your garden can themed around. As the barrels are all self contained they offer a easy installation and versatility. Depending on the specific feature the water generally trickles down from top to bottom with a soothing sound of flowing water. Perfect for those who enjoy sitting in your garden or patio area relaxing in the summer breeze.

Wildlife is a great part of any garden. It is actually possible to attract various species of wildlife to your garden with a few simple additions to your outdoor space. Wildlife can be a further element to your garden that provides you with a peaceful and tranquil ambiance.

Creating a wetland area in your garden is a perfect way to attract various forms of wildlife to your garden. Creating a wetland area in your garden is a brilliant solution to dealing with waterlogged soil. Instead of abandoning these boggy areas of your garden, plant a wetland are and enjoy the many beautifully coloured birds and butterflies that it attracts. Many plants thrive in wetland conditions, including grasses, hostas, marsh marigolds, petunias, irises and lilies. It is advisable to use a diverse selection of plants in order to attract the widest variety of wildlife to your wetland garden. So long as the plants have similar flooding needs they may be planted together in a wetland area.

Simply adding a pre-formed pond to your garden is a simple yet very effective solution to creating a wetland area in your very own back garden. With various options available in a variety of sizes there really is a size that is suitable for all gardens, small or large. Pre-formed ponds and pond liners create an instant pond in your garden. They are strong and durable providing you with a satisfaction that your purchase is a long lasting one. Once the pre-formed pond is installed, filled and decorated wildlife will quickly begin coming to your garden.

Birdbaths and bird nest boxes are also a simple way to bring wildlife back to your garden. Adding a birdbath to your garden provides your feathered friends with a place to cool off and bathe. Especially with the predicted heat wave that is set to hit the UK this weekend. There are different types of birdbaths that are suitable for all types of gardens whether yours be a contemporary garden or a more traditional garden, birdbaths ranging from cast iron birdbaths to a hanging birdbath. One of our most popular bird nest boxes is the camera nest box. A great technological nest box that provides you with a fantastic opportunity to actually experience what goes on inside the next box. It is equipped with a digital video recorder that captures all the excitement from within the box. Great for children to witness nature for themselves.

Bird feed is also a fantastic way to attract various species of birds to your garden. Many birds prefer different feed. So it may be worth a little bit of experimentation to see which birds like what. With the weather warming up and a heat wave set to hit the UK this coming weekend your feathered friends may find it a little more difficult to find a good source of food. Bird feed is a great simple addition to your garden that is sure to keep your friends happy.

Well spring flying by, summer is almost here. So now is the time to start preparing your garden for the outdoor season. With all the features and garden accessories out there it may be worth just highlighting the top 5 essentials for your garden this summer. 

#1 BBQ: It would not be summer without a barbeque. Whether it is gas, charcoal or masonry bbq they are certainly an essential part of any garden this summer especially is you are thinking of entertaining guest this summer. Hosting a bbq can be a great social event, a great way to bond with new neighbours, meet new people or bring the family all back together. 

#2 Garden furniture: well there is no use in entertaining people with a lovely bbq, if they have nowhere to sit.  Garden furniture not only provides a comfortable seating area for guests it also provides a great visual element to any garden. With the harsh winters that we have over here in the UK it is essential to have garden furniture that is resistant to the harmful elements. Cast aluminium or pressure treated teak are great examples of heavy duty garden furniture. However, realativly new to the furniture market is the maintainence free weave furniture. It is resistant to UV, chlorinated water and sea water, high and low temperatures, micro organisms, and body lotions. Viro® is extremely durable and colourfast, which means that it is maintenance free and easy to clean (perfect for a hassle free clean up after your guests leave)

#3 Garden Lighting: You do not want to have to bring the party inside when the sun goes down. Illuminating your garden is a great way to add a sleek and holiday resort feel to your back garden or patio area. Garden lights are also a great way to light up darker areas of your garden or highlight a specific feature on display. Installing garden lights or deck lights are not only for outdoor entertaining. They are also great for personal use. If you enjoy sitting on your back garden on those warm summer nights, relaxing it may be worth thinking about including a few garden lights to help "lighten" the mood and create a peaceful atmosphere. Solar garden lights are becoming more popular in the market. Helping people save money on their bills by providing them with free energy to light their gardens. 

#4 Patio heaters: Not every night this summer is going to be a warm one, so investing in an eco-friendly patio heater to help take away the chill on one of those off nights it certainly a sound investment. A benefit to a outdoor heater is that they are especially beneficial at this time of year. Spring is a great season to sit outdoors, but at night the temperatures tend to plummet making it a little on the chilly side to sit outdoors and enjoy a glass of wine. Patio heaters are also perfect for outdoor entertaining. They provide a focal point where people can sit near and socialize.

#5 Water features: A water feature not only provides a great focal point and visual beauty to your garden. The relaxing sound from the trickling water is a peaceful and mellow sound that gives off a unique ambiance for yourself and your guests to enjoy. Self contained water features are a very simple way to add peace, tranquillity, and interest to your garden or patio. These re-circulating water features set up in minutes, require little ongoing maintenance and incur low operating expenses. It is possible to purchase a self-contained water feature that operates on solar power exclusively. Many of these solar water features are sold with battery backup for use on overcast days. Maintenance of a self-contained water feature consists of using algae and lime scale cleaners as needed. Both of these items are commercially available at reasonable cost.  Similar to the solar garden lights, solar water features are rapidly becoming more popular in the market. For example, the solar powered stainless steel sphere is one of our most popular water features. Stainless Steel water features are perfect for any kind of garden, whether they be contemporary and elegant as well the more traditional looking gardens. Stainless Steel is very simple yet very effective element. I am sure everyone has heard of stainless steel, so I’m not going to sit here and bore you with the long history of the stuff. Instead I am going to quickly tell you about how a stainless steel water feature will become one of your favourite features in your garden.

If you are like most people you probably love the idea of sitting on your patio or deck throughout the day enjoying the lovely weather. However when the sun drops below the horizon the temerpature at this time of year can drop to less than desireable. Outdoor patio heaters are a great little addition to your garden that will take away that brisk chill in the air alowing you to enjoy the outdoors long into the night. Patio heaters come in espescially hand when you are entertaining guests. BBQ's are a certainly big at this time of year, and sometimes it is just not convinent to have them in the middle of the afternoon or maybe the party is still in full flow after the BBQ and your guests are still having a good time. However the sun has gone down and it is a little cooler now. Switching on your patio heater will keep you and your guests warm so you can stay outdoors longer into the night.  

In chillier parts of the United Kingdom, swimming pool and patio parties are more of a seasonal thing. But with a good heater, you can enjoy your patio late into the year. For those of us who are conscious of the impact we all have on the environment, you can now purchase eco friendly patio heaters. They emit no co2 or other harmful emissions, they are designed to last up to five thousand hours, and they are based on a carbon fibre heating system.

Some of the cool things about these heaters are the extra gadgets that you can get with them. Some come with built in TV screens or high powered lights. Remote controls make them easy to turn on and off, and of course, if you set them with your houses electrical timer, you can focus on your party without worrying about remembering to turn them on when things start to cool off or get dark. This simple addition your garden makes it a worthy addition to your property, whether you like to grill out or just chill on your deck or patio. 

With the nights gradually warming up, we tend to be spending a little longer in our gardens at night. Garden lighting has quickly become prominent in many peoples gardens and is now one of the top selling products in many garden centres accross the UK. With the rapid increase in demand for garden lighting fixtures, there has been a quick increase in the variations and styles that are now available. 

Placement of your lighting fixtures is key. These lights can be placed for security purposes or for their aesthetic purposes. Some garden lights are so easy to install that the owner can actually move and place them several times. 

We now begin to see the season where we sit outside long into the night enjoying the company of friends and family. With the warmer nights keeping us toasty through the night one thing, lighitng on the other hand maybe something worth considering.

Garden lighting does not only provide you with additional lighting at night, they are also great tools for lighting up special features in your garden. Highlighting a water feature, swing set or patio area can be a simple yet very effective upgrade for your garden. Highlighting a stainless steel water feature has the additional benefit from being lit up by a garden light simply because the light will reflect of the flowing water and onto the steel. This provides great visual effects and shadows. 

Outdoor lighting will also help with safety in the garden to not only illuminate pathways but offer security by illuminating darkened corners in the garden. The benefit to these sort of lights is that they actually do not need to be high powered. All you really need is a small amount of light to illuminate that dark corner. 

Solar lighting is a relatively new and very large market. Bringing solar lights in to your garden is a great cost saving home improvment feature. The way these solar garden lights work is by gathering energy from daylight throughout the day and then gradually releasing it once the sun has dropped below the horizon. What this gives you is free lighting. Another great benefit of solar garden lighting is there are no wires and they are really simple to install. Even single light lanterns are beautiful in design and offer the same security as the higher priced ones. LED lights are a favourite in groups of individuals who enjoy saving the planet as well as saving of money. These light only require the sun power them. 

Stainless steel spheres can create a remarkable visual spectacle in any given environment whether it be your very own back garden or in a large city in the north of England. 

Millennium Square is situated in Sheffield. Located between two of the city’s most popular public spaces, the Peace Gardens and Winter Garden.

What is Millennium Square?

Millennium Square is part of Sheffield’s Heart of the City project, a scheme that has been synonymous with the City’s economic and cultural rebirth since it began in 1998. 

Why is this relevant to stainless steel spheres? Well it actually contains an amazing feature called ‘Rain’. Rain was created by sculptor Colin Rose. The sculpture features nine large Sheffield stainless steel spheres varying in sizes up to 2m in diameter, which were intended to suggest drops of rain that have just landed on the surface of the square. 

The feature truly is an amazing spectacle at night as the flowing water sparkles through the dozens of various colour changing LED lights that are set in the paving as well as into the rim of the pools under each of the steel ball or ‘raindrops’.

The stainless steel spheres in heart of Sheffield city centre forms the central part of an amazing walk, currently being tagged as the ‘Gold Route’. The route begins by taking visitors from Sheffield Railway Station through a series of beautiful new developments each with their own distinctive lighting, public art and water features.

It is possible to recreate this spectacular design on a smaller scale in your very own back garden. Simply adding stainless steel spheres into your garden design will add an elegant and modern look to your garden. The spheres are a simple yet very effective feature. Water flows from the top of the stainless steel sphere before running down the sides into the sump below. The sphere is lit from the top by six bright white LED lights, creating a stunning effect at both dusk and night. Our 100cm stainless steel sphere and our 50cm stainless steel sphere water feature are still two of out most popular water features. 

There are other stainless steel water features that provide the same visual amazement such as stainless steel polished tubes, blades and pyramids. These all provide a great focal point to your garden as the light reflects off of the LED lit water. We need not to forget the ever so popular stainless steel cascade water features also as these have become more and more popular over the years.