Ditch Traditional Fountains: The Low-Maintenance Alternative That Looks & Sounds Beautiful

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Adding an outdoor water feature to your landscape sounds great at first, but once you realize how much work it is to install, clean, and maintain them, it can be off-putting. Plus, intense fountains can deter wildlife like birds and beneficial insects from using them as a water source. If you have small pets or kids around, having a large basin filled with water can also be a cause of concern for their safety. Thankfully, there's an easier, more relaxing option on the market that still allows you to enjoy the sound of water in your garden: bubbling urn fountains. These water features may not be dramatic geysers or elaborate aquascapes, but they get the job done. They're visually attractive, create a more peaceful sound, and can double as a wildlife water station.

As implied by the name, this underrated water feature consists of an urn or vase-like, long silhouette. Instead of a loud splashing or waterfall feature, these are designed to emit soft trickles of water, which causes it to have a "bubbling" effect. Most bubbling urn products have an internal reservoir and raised edges, which capture trickling water before it goes over the side. Others are equipped with a basin you bury beneath landscaping rocks to catch the water as it falls. Both layouts prevent water loss so you don't have to top up the water as often as you would with a standard fountain. The shallow surface is also much easier to clean compared to draining and scrubbing algae out of a large basin. Since it doesn't have a basin that's open to the elements, it may capture less debris compared to other types of fountains.

When shopping for a bubbling urn fountain, you need to consider placement, power sources, and of course, style. You should have no trouble putting them on balconies, decks, patios, and in landscaped garden beds since they come in a variety of different sizes and shapes and have a spill-conscious design. Many of these fountains can be plugged into a standard outdoor outlet. You just need to determine the logistics of running extension cables to the installation spot if it's further away from your house. As an alternative, you can purchase a solar-powered model, like this 34" Solar Polyresin Urn Fountain from Home Depot.

The most exciting part is deciding on a style that you love and whether you want it to blend with your backyard landscape or make a colorful statement. Bubbling urns in shades of brown, black, gray, or green can fit seamlessly in garden beds and create a sense of mystery as to where the water sound is coming from. In contrast, bold-colored urns can help the display stand out without taking away from the tranquility of your outdoor space. This Autodaya Ceramic Jar Outdoor Water Fountain from Amazon is just one example. While standard urn fountains are rounded and ornate in appearance, more streamlined interpretations are available in the shape of squares or columns. Many even come in matte finishes or industrial-looking materials such as rusted steel or concrete — a stunning water feature for modern backyards.