Content
Among the compositions of landscape design of summer cottages there is one attractive view - a dry stream. This structure is an imitation of a stream without a single drop of water. This simulation is performed using stones, selected with taste and combined with the rest of the design of the site. The dry stream in landscape design has become so popular that it can be found everywhere.
Differing in size, design, materials used and additions, it perfectly reflects the style and preferences of the owner of the dacha.
The highlight of this decoration is the possibility of:
- Avoid material costs. You can always find stones or scrap materials on your site or in the surrounding landscape. In general, a project can only be matched to the available opportunities.
- Build a dry stream with your own hands. The peculiarity of this element is that it does not require special professional knowledge to perform.
- Create a feeling of the presence of water where, for certain reasons, there is none. These may be areas with a shortage of water supply or relief features.Rain or artificial irrigation enhances the beauty of a dry stream.
- Emphasize the style of the zone or the entire territory as a whole. A dry pond is very common in the Japanese style of landscape design. Its presence will decorate and highlight the features of the Japanese-style zone.
- At the same time, make a drainage ditch in the desired location of the summer cottage.
- Build a structure anywhere. There are no terrain or lighting restrictions for it. You can safely place a dry stream in the sun or in the shade, on a hill or in a valley, in a large area or in a small corner of the garden.
- Build a dry lake instead of a stream, which will not suffer from drying out in the hot summer.
The landscape design of the site will only benefit if you add this wonderful element to your dacha.
Why you should choose a dry stream for site design
The choice of any element is always based on its advantages over other designs. The dry stream has taken its place of honor in landscape design thanks to the following characteristics:
- Ease of implementation, which allows you to independently cope with the calculation and construction of a dry stream without any special costs.
- Speed of construction. Your project, location selection and execution can be completed in a few days. A self-made dry stream is a very beneficial element in landscape design for summer residents.
- Low maintenance requirements. You will have to maintain the shape of the riverbed and remove weedy plants. A water body requires fundamental cleaning of stones from sediments, algae and deposits with mandatory regularity.
- Creative freedom in design design. Decorating a natural stream will require knowledge in selecting moisture-loving plants.For a dry object, you select your favorite plants in the usual manner.
- Does not require changing the terrain. Fits perfectly into existing
- Safety for household members. Caution is only needed when there are sharp or large stones. But if there are children at the dacha, then such elements may not be included in the project at all. The absence of mosquitoes is also an important advantage. A rest area near a dry stream will provide complete relaxation.
- Budgeting. A dry stream in landscape design does not require any additional equipment. You will not need to purchase and install water supply or purification systems.
By properly planning a dry stream, you can hide some of the relief defects of the site and visually expand the space. Photos of the most successful compositions will help you choose the most suitable solution.
We create a unique project with our own hands
How to make a dry stream in your country house with your own hands? You can make a decorative element yourself without prior theoretical preparation. Try to follow the recommendations and don’t be afraid to deviate from some stereotypes, and your dry stream will be a wonderful addition landscape design at the dacha.
Planning the composition
At this stage, decide on the location of the dry stream and its shape. Don’t be afraid to experiment, feel free to add “thresholds” and “waterfalls”, change the bed or height of the stream. In any case, your stream will benefit from its originality. The only condition is to try to make the dry stream so that it does not stand out from the overall landscape design picture. Separate garden paths and dry riverbeds to avoid repeating the configuration.Choose a location where the topography is prominent, there is enough planting, and there is little foot traffic. Do not forget that a dry stream in landscape design has a source and an mouth. Place the source on a small hill, and veil the mouth with plants or a fence. This will create a mock continuation of the object. Play with the width of the channel, you can make branchings.
Transferring the contours of the sketch to the area
All knowledge on the placement of construction projects will come in handy here. Use rope, pegs, stones, sand. Try not to make very clear boundaries. It will not look like a natural stream bed.
Preparing the base for the stream
In the selected area, you will have to remove all weeds, debris, excess stones and remove a small layer of soil (up to 20 cm). Form the walls of the trench at an angle of 45°. To ensure the reliability of the riverbed, the soil of the base and walls must be compacted. To prevent weeds from growing before laying the stones, cover the riverbed with thick, dark covering material.
Roofing material, thick film, nutrasil will do. Some summer residents lay a layer of concrete and pour gravel on top.
Filling the riverbed
For a dry stream, try to use natural stones that are native to your region.
This will make his presence on the site more harmonious. The edges are usually lined with large stones, sprinkled with small pebbles at the beginning and larger ones closer to the riverbed.
It is good to decorate the bottom with flat pebbles, focusing on medium or large boulders placed in the right order.
Rapids and waterfalls are highlighted with light stones. An excellent option is river stone. The amount of pebbles is calculated based on the number of cubic meters of the structure’s volume. Depending on the fraction, the need for material is calculated.
Varying colors
You can add naturalness to a dry stream in landscape design using a play of shades of decorative stones. By laying gneiss, slate, basalt, we get a light blue color. Granite will present a whole palette - gray, greenish, reddish-brown. Limestone and marble will highlight light shades and imitate water foam. Colored glass pebbles decorate a dry stream well in landscape design. They shimmer beautifully in the sun. If you use fragments of mirrors, you can get a peculiar effect of reflected light. The mirror stream has disadvantages that should be taken into account before deciding to use this option:
- it will take much more time to manufacture;
- at close range it loses its attractiveness;
- the magical effect persists under a certain focus;
- unsafe for small children.
Adding flora
Without this stage, our dry stream in landscape design will look lifeless and monotonous. Plants are planted taking into account the harmonious combination of species. It is better to use ones that are associated with water and match the area. Do not get carried away with tall species - they will overshadow the stream.
A good option:
- blue fescue;
- willow sunflower;
- daylilies of various varieties;
- lobelia, bluebells, buffalo grass.
Plants that resemble water in their shades are perfect - blue, cornflower blue, turquoise, light gray. This role can be entrusted to large-leaved forget-me-not, bluebells, mosquito grass, and creeping tenacious.
Decorating a dry stream with elements
A real masterpiece can be created by adding an original bridge to a dry stream.
It is made from stone, metal, wood, and available materials.When building a bridge, it is necessary to take all measures to preserve the material used. Treat the wooden structure with a protective compound or varnish; do not leave metal structures alone with rain or snow.
By decorating the riverbed with a jug or a beautiful lantern, we add sophistication and charm.
To make a dry stream in landscape design your favorite vacation spot, try to embody your best desires when designing it. Maintaining this beauty will not take much effort and time, but you will always have a place where your guests and family members can enjoy peace and harmony.
