Water Features in a traditional sense was originally found in Greece, in the shape of fountains and were thought to be a central hub of the society. Although, nearly one thousand years earlier there is recognized documentation verifying the design of fountains as a part of a garden complex in Iran, where ceramic remains have been discovered. The healing nature of gardening as a whole has had wide recognition for thousands of years, with many early settlements using the landscape to improve their well being.

The Greeks created whole temples committed to revitalization with rural settings, gardens, swimming pools and mineral springs. The community would worship the idol ?Aesclepius? and concentrate on spending time relaxing, the temples were used to help mending from illness. The Romans also documented extensively which plant life had medicinal properties,in the 1st century A.D., Dioscorides compiled a list of 650 herbal treatments and the typical locations and how to use each particular plants to benefit health.

The Centre for Therapeutic Horticulture has been established since 1992 and is part of the University of Minnesota's Landscape Arboretum. The Centre uniquely specializes in research into the implication of integrating humans and vegetation in reference to health and healing within the hospital setting. The most recent research into this relationship seems to show that being surrounded by and benefitting from the beauty of the natural world stimulates our ability to heal and increases the chance of physical recovery. The sound of running water is connected to recovery as the noise is relaxing and stimulates extra senses. As human beings are 70% water the basic need for water is being fulfilled and perhaps a constant assurance is given to us to know we are within a close proximity to water.

During the last twenty years it has become possible for water features to become recurrant within landscaping. The BBC recognized the need for people to become aware of their garden and scheduled the hugely popular Ground Force to help people recognized the potential and the massive benefit and pleasure to be gained from up keeping a garden. There are also the financial benefits with a garden adding significant value to any property when it's well maintained but it is about having a space to relax, entertain and unwind.

The modern water feature can come in various shapes and sizes to suit all tastes, budgets and sized garden, there's no excuse for the plastic pond anymore. In terms of materials there is a large assortment of materials being used to produce water features from the current trend of stainless steel to classically inspired stone carving. Creating a new look in your garden through the use of a water feature would certainly give a new dimension to your garden and improve your enjoyment of the garden and may benefit your health also.