Choosing a fountain isn't always easy. There is a wide range of fountains available, from inexpensive molded plastic fountains to expensive carved stone garden fountains. With such a wide range, it can be difficult to find one to fit your garden and your budget. You'll want to choose a fountain that enhances your garden and backyard, and will last for many years.

The low-end molded plastic fountains simply will not last for a long time. Plastic fountains are difficult to clean when dirty, and they will crack over time. They are inexpensive options for a garden fountains, but you will find yourself replacing a cheap plastic fountain every few years when they break. A plastic fountain won't give you a long lasting centerpiece to your garden.

The more expensive carved stone fountains will last a long time, and make a stunning centerpiece to your yard. However, they are expensive, and may not fit your budget. Some also need a lot of maintainence, and they are heavy and hard to move.

A good choice for a garden fountain would be a mid-range fountain. These fountains are often made of poly resin, or a stone and resin mix. They are affordable, and will stand up to the weather very well. These fountains are also much lighter, and easier to handle than stone, while retaining the look and feel of stone.

Be sure to choose a water feature that fits your environment. If you live in a climate with drastic changes in the weather from season to season, you'll want a fountain that can withstand the weather, or that you can store easily in the winter. Stone fountains are not easy to move, due to their weight, and the changes in weather may cause them to crack.

When you choose your fountain, you'll also want to consider the pump and the water capacity. Low-end fountains may not hold very much water, or pump very much water. The more expensive fountains will have a stronger pump which can move more water, which will look much better. A fountain that pumps 5 gallons per minute should be sufficient to provide an appealing stream of water. A weaker pump will not pump enough water to provide a visually appealing fountain.

You need to consider where you are going to place your fountain. You'll need electricity to run the pump, so it should be close enough to an electrical outlet. Fountains equipped with a standard 120v connection can simply be plugged into a standard outlet. Your fountain should also be close enough to a water supply, so you can top it off easily as the water evaporates.

Another consideration as far as location, is the visual impact of the fountain. Do you want to see it from your patio, or do you want it tucked into a remote corner. Sometimes placing a fountain at the end of a garden path, tucked into a remote corner of the garden will help to add to the relaxing effect of the fountain. You may also want to consider placing several small fountains throughout the garden, to provide accents here and there.

The proper fountain, properly placed will help to enhance the tranquility of your backyard, as well as adding a nice visual accent to your garden.