Millstone Water Feature – East Finchley
Water cascade over antique millstone
A millstone water feature provides a focal point in a courtyard garden or entrance area. Water flows through the centre and cascades gently bringing a sense of calm. Once used for crushing grain into flour, the antique millstone links history to this garden in East Finchley. With garden lighting, the water feature looks great at night too.
The Millstone
Lichen on weathered red sandstone, the millstone for the water feature
This red sandstone millstone spent its working life in the 19th century in a mill in Cumbria. Since being discarded in the countryside, it became very weathered with lichen. In its new life as a millstone water feature, the lichen pattern will change as the water flow creates a new micro-climate and local ecology. It all adds to the charm and changing interest of the water feature.
Waterworks and Lighting
Beams from uplighters illuminate the millstone water feature
Water is pumped from a reservoir below the millstone. It flows through the hole in the top and then cascades gently over the sides. Stainless steel uplighters direct their beams on to the water. The small fountain look likes a flame! Grey slate paddlestones cover the waterworks and electric cables. My design makes it easy to remove the pump if needed.
Clay Paver Path and Seasonal Plants
Millstone water feature in island bed with paddlestones and plants
My garden design sits the millstone water feature in a larger island bed. The clay paver path provides a route around the garden. We completed the planting in November and it will fill out in 2016. There is already some winter interest with evergreen tiarella, carex and ferns. The larger pheasants tail grass will give wonderful autumn colour into winter. Spring and summer will bring soft seasonal colour with pink and white columbine, lilac day lilies, palest blue veronica and pink astrantia.