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Original poster

Advice on building a small stream that looks natural

18 replies

Bjarnum · 12/08/2022 15:16

I want to build a small stream across my small front garden. I have looked on the internet and the ones there have rocks lining the edges to conceal the liner. They look ridiculous! A random pair of lines or intermittent piles of rock do not look natural in a garden that is clearly not on the side of a mountain. What I would like is a natural looking stream - of the kind found near me (Wiltshire). About a foot deep, sand and small pebbles on the bottom with greenery of various kinds either side. Has anyone achieved this and if so how did you deal with the liner edges and did you encounter any problems? Photos would be great! TIA

OP posts:
CatherinedeBourgh · 12/08/2022 15:18

I haven't done it, but I have seen coir matting planted up that you can put right over the liner.

faffadoodledo · 12/08/2022 15:23

Take a look at Rousham Gardens. They have lovely rills running through which make no attempt to look natural and yet look amazing
www.instagram.com/p/BxK7-Ibl8YL/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 12/08/2022 15:26

You can get liner that has grit bonded to it.

www.pondkeeper.co.uk/stone-faced-pond-liner.asp?gclid=CjwKCAjw9NeXBhAMEiwAbaY4lm3ES3lE7cDzp1PYMqP45C4H5_m7Go-

hotfroth · 12/08/2022 15:42

Search on some images of Japanese gardens and streams, they seem to get it about right, and looking natural. Copious use of gravel and cobbles etc.

Original poster
Bjarnum · 12/08/2022 16:47

Wow, thanks! So much useful advice!

OP posts:
MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 12/08/2022 17:03

A random pair of lines or intermittent piles of rock do not look natural in a garden that is clearly not on the side of a mountain

No "stream" is going to look natural in a small front garden 😁, or even a large garden.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 12/08/2022 17:16

How are you going to maintain a flow on your stream?

Pinkywoo · 13/08/2022 08:05

The key to making it look natural is for the pebbles to all be different sizes, and I'd go for tiny pea gravel rather than sand or it will end up destroying the pump.

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 13/08/2022 09:53

The key to making it look natural is for the pebbles to all be different sizes, and I'd go for tiny pea gravel rather than sand or it will end up destroying the pump.

Because having pebbles (from a beach) will really make a front garden look "natural" :)

OP - please don't use beach pebbles - they belong on beaches.

Pinkywoo · 13/08/2022 11:51

@MrsOwainGlyndŵr I didn't say beach pebbles, it's illegal to remove stones from the beach. There are pebbles and stones of all sizes in every garden centre and B&Q.

SheWoreYellow · 13/08/2022 12:25

Have you had a look on Pinterest? I just searched for ‘stream in river’ and found a few different ways of doing it.

Original poster
Bjarnum · 13/08/2022 14:42

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 12/08/2022 17:03

A random pair of lines or intermittent piles of rock do not look natural in a garden that is clearly not on the side of a mountain

No "stream" is going to look natural in a small front garden 😁, or even a large garden.

Entitled to your opinion - there was one in a local pub which looked so natural I didn't know it wasn't until it was bulldozed as part of an extension. Apparently the late landlady had it built and it was her pride and joy

OP posts:
Original poster
Bjarnum · 13/08/2022 14:44

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 12/08/2022 17:16

How are you going to maintain a flow on your stream?

Pump

OP posts:
Original poster
Bjarnum · 13/08/2022 14:59

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 13/08/2022 09:53

The key to making it look natural is for the pebbles to all be different sizes, and I'd go for tiny pea gravel rather than sand or it will end up destroying the pump.

Because having pebbles (from a beach) will really make a front garden look "natural" :)

OP - please don't use beach pebbles - they belong on beaches.

How do you tell if pebbles are from a beach? Unless, of course you took them from there ... Not to worry - apart from anything else we live miles from the coast with a small car so not a practical solution! Feel free to now let go of the pearls safe in the knowledge that there will be no beaches denuded by me!
@pinkywoo Thanks for your input - makes sense And I don't know anyone got the idea you were advocating beach pebbles ...

Thanks to everyone who took the time to provide helpful ideas - have taken them all on board

OP posts:
TheSpottedZebra · 13/08/2022 15:11

I think it would look most natural if the kind surrounding it looks natural, and not totally flat. So a chasm carved into a standard flat front garden would look odd, but none in an undulating landscape might not.

Original poster
Bjarnum · 13/08/2022 17:40

Agree. Our gardens do undulate and our neighbour has kindly offered his digger. If the worse comes to the worse I can always put everything back! Apparently there used to be a spring fed stream but when the dual carriageway was laid down it cut off the water.

OP posts:
justasking111 · 13/08/2022 17:49

We went for a fountain on our patio pumped water around the birds loved it. We did build a rill leading to a pond but in an acre of garden. I can't see it in a small front garden

Original poster
Bjarnum · 13/08/2022 21:26

If I finally make the leap I'll take pics. It's possible my use of "small" was a bit misleading - it's probably bigger than most people's back gardens. (It is however, much smaller than the other gardens connected to the house) I would like a water feature and I like the idea of moving water but I'm not keen on any fountains - each to their own though. More thought needed! Thanks for the input

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