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 material costs. Let's see how to equip it and what materials to choose.
Pros of a Dry Creek
Dry creek in landscape design first began to be used in Japan. A distinctive feature of this exterior element is the ability to arrange imitation where there is no way to bring water for any reason. It can be used with confidence on any site that is decorated in a 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 to maintain the natural beauty of 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 that the appearance of the stream depends to a greater extent. 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 them with waterproof paint. If you apply this technique, the stones will glow somewhat in the twilight. Developing the landscape design of 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 a wet effect, which suggests 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. Alternatively, glass beads can be used. 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 a dark non-woven material, which is able to pass 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.
Stacking recommendations
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 can be a forget-me-not or a survivor creeping.
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
The landscape design of the site can be decorated not only with 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.