Water is one of the oldest elements used in the landscape architecture.
In any landscape, water adds great charm and expression. It gives beauty and pleasure in a large manner whether in the form of running, still or dropping and falling water.
Most of the world’s great gardens use water in their setting for obvious reasons.
It is beautiful in its own right, with an ever-changing surface varying with the moods of weather.
The dropping waterfall or murmuring stream brings music to the gardens.
References of water plants, particularly lotus, are found in the ancient literature of India.
The Muslim rulers developed many water gardens, with fountains and other adornments.
In contemporary India, water plants can mostly be found in some temple lakes of South and East India and in many village tanks of West Bengal.
In modern gardening, much attention is now paid to the culture of water-loving plants, more specially the lovely hybrid water lilies.
If a natural stream, lake or pond is not available in the garden site, an artificial one is formed to enhance the beauty of the garden.
Pools, artificial streams, swimming pools, waterfalls and fountains are constructed to enjoy the charm of water in many different ways in the garden.