Nothing brings a garden to life more effectively than a pond.
The very presence of water inspires with its beauty and soothing effect. You might think that to be wildlife-friendly, a pond needs to be informal but that isn't necessarily so. With thoughtful design, a strictly formal pond can be almost as beneficial to wildlife as a natural water course. The secret is to develop a healthy balance of both aquatics and marginal plants, and to make sure these are arranged to suit whatever birds or animals might use the pond. Here are two examples of formal ponds, one of which is economical with space and would fit into even the tiniest of gardens.