Not so long ago, in the twentieth century, a new concept emerged, the popularity of which is rapidly growing in many countries around the world. It's about landscape design. In simple terms, this is landscaping and landscaping. In a broader sense, it is an art form in which architecture, design and construction are combined. During its existence, landscape design specialists have developed many design schemes that allow not only to decorate the territory, but also to give it a natural look, the effect of harmony with nature. Today, to refine any site, you can use ready-made guidelines for creating a green architectural ensemble. With one of these projects, we will introduce you in our article. It's about a dry stream in the country with their own hands with photos and step-by-step instructions. It is simple in execution, beautiful in appearance, allows you to hide the flaws of the relief, unpretentious care.
Dry creek
In landscape design, artificial ponds are particularly popular. However, not all areas can be equipped. In addition, water bodies are always associated with such additional procedures as cleaning, the acquisition of cleaning systems, the construction of a water supply system. For those who want to avoid additional troubles, but at the same time have a beautiful natural corner, a stream without water was invented.
Dry creek is one of the main elements in landscape design, namely in the rocky garden, which spread throughout the world from the Land of the Rising Sun. The Japanese decorated various territories with dry brooks 700 years ago.
Learn how to properly plan and equip the dacha
It was believed that the stream, which starts from a small beautifully designed source, passes through the whole area and ends in the form of a funnel, attracts positive energy to the owner of the dwelling, and contributes to their well-being and harmony.
Did you know? The most famous Japanese stone garden is Kyoto. It is located at the monastery of Reandzi. Laid in the XV century. It represents 15 stones placed on a rectangular platform, which are set in such a way that no matter which side a person looks at them, they will see only 14 of them.
A dry stream is an imitation of a dried water stream, the bottom of which is covered with stones, pebbles, gravel, sand, and ornamental plants are planted along the banks.
The advantages of this element over this reservoir is that it:
- practically does not require maintenance;
- will require a minimum investment;
- done in just two or three days;
- looks beautiful at any time of the year;
- does not attract harmful insects;
- allows you to hide landscape defects;
- looks good and fits into any area;
- can perform the function of a drainage ditch;
- can mask communications (manholes, cables, pipes, etc.);
- does not limit the choice of plants that can be planted on its banks;
- is safe for small children.
Did you know? The term "landscape design" originated in the twentieth century, but the roots of the art itself go back to antiquity and lead to Mesopotamia - it was there that the first attempts at cultivating garden plots were made. In ancient Greece, parks and gardens were created by human hands, and the earliest mentions of ancient Roman landscape design date back to 65-68 BC.
Popular species
Conventionally, the element "dry stream" is divided into three types:
- meandering stream - the simplest design, which is a single stream, expanding and tapering in different places;
- branched bed - a more complex type in arrangement, since it consists of several streams that can intersect or diverge in different directions;
- waterfall or cascade - equipped with a hill, from which the stream flows.
Types of dry flow set. We will tell you about the most popular:
- creek head;
- sand streams;
- sleeves merging.
Creek source
A popular solution for creating a dry stream is the equipment, for example, a stone well, a jug, and a rock. In this case, it is possible to imitate that the water flow follows precisely from this object and that is where its source is located.
Sand jet
To create sand jets will take some effort. This composition includes several narrow streams. Throughout the length of the effect is made, as if they are then united in one direction, then intersect, then diverge again. 
The waves on such flows look very beautiful and original - they are made with the help of a rake, which distinguish individual grooves.
A dry creek will look harmoniously near a dry stream.
Sleeve fusion
The fusion of sleeves is also not an easy one to perform. It needs to be well planned so that it looks believable and beautiful. So, you can pretend that one stream flows into another.
You can also arrange several sleeves of different width, which in some place merge into one channel.
General tips and tricks
To create a beautiful and original object that resembles a dried-up reservoir, we suggest you use the following tips:
- The larger the plot, the wider the stream should be.
- It is better not to do direct embankments. As a rule, they look unnatural and rude. The beautiful course of the stream always expands and narrows. In order for it to look natural, with its tab, it is enough to recall what a small mountain river looks like, for example. Naturally looks pond, the edges of which are sometimes blurred. The stream, which coils, visually looks deeper and longer. However, the bends should be soft, smooth.
- Looks great combination of stone bed with green plantings.
- The effect of wet stones is done with a varnish coating.
- The visibility of rapids and waterfalls can be created by placing light stones against the dark ones from which the channel is made.
- Imitation of the islands can be done with the help of large stones, which are placed in the center of the channel.
- The bottom of the stream should not be cemented. So the composition will become more expensive, and the duration of its bookmarks will increase. In addition, you may want to reschedule the site in the future, and the cement path will create additional difficulties.
- The bridge over the stream emphasizes the similarity with the natural river.
- Using flat pebbles will create the illusion that the stream is flowing rapidly.
- When choosing plants, preference should be given to low plants. Otherwise they can close the stream itself.
- The banks of the rivers, except for the greenery, can also be decorated with beautiful snags, stone compositions, garden sculptures.
- As care, annual spring loosening of the soil around the plants and the introduction of the necessary fertilizers will be needed. In the summer, it is advisable to water the stones periodically. If necessary, remove the moss and kill the ants.
Important! In the event that the stream is made as a drainage ditch, the stones will need to be reinforced in a concrete solution. Because the course can flush them.
Dry creek do it yourself
We give instructions on how to make a dry stream with your own hands in stages.
Where to begin?
Before you go directly to the design of landscape composition, you need to determine the following parameters:
- the size;
- form;
- a place;
- materials used.
Before you make a dry stream in the country with your own hands, it is important to correctly determine the place for its laying. In principle, this object can be placed in any corner, both in the remote and in the most visible: in the backyard or immediately at the entrance to the house. The source can be both on a hill and on a plain. You can think over the stream so that it will divide all the zones of the summer cottage: a vegetable garden, a garden, a place to rest. Good object will look along the track.
A dry creek can also be combined with a mixborder or flowerbed.
The most common materials for creating a dried pond are:
- pebbles;
- gravel.
Also, when making a composition in gray-blue tones, more expensive basalt and slate are used. Particularly beautiful blotches of glass beads that create glare in sunlight. 
To create red-brown streams take:
- granite;
- limestone;
- marble.
The accents in the object are made with the help of large stones, granite of various colors. In the gap between the large stones framing the coast, put stones-bare.
After determining the location, shape and materials, it is desirable to draw a trickle on paper. It is also important to think about how the beginning and end of the stream will look. The source is made out in several ways: with the help of bushes, a mountain of stones, a decorative fountain, a pot, amphorae, a vase.
Below we will give you a few examples of dry flow design, which you can transfer exactly to your summer cottage or take any elements, connect your own imagination and design a unique stream.
Styling process
The laying process must begin with surface preparation. First, using sand draw the boundaries of the water flow. They can easily be corrected at any time. Instead of sand fit and stretched rope.
Further, these contours are used to tear the trench. Its depth should be 15-30 cm. It is not worth doing too deep.
The bottom of the trench is well tamped and leveled. Geotextiles or lutrasil are laid on the bottom - materials that are designed to stop the growth of grass, the erosion of the channel and the deepening of pebbles into the soil.
After preparing the trench, proceed to the next stage - laying the stones. Begin with the design of the coastline, which is laid out in large cobblestones. Between them, in the crevices, you can randomly scatter smaller stones, bare ones.
Dry streams are made not only from stone, but also from flowers. Flower creek do-it-yourself looks very luxurious. At its construction using ground cover plants, ampelous flowers of blue and purple hues. Pansies, petunias, lobelia, phlox will work well. However, it is important to remember that such a stream will be decorative only in certain periods and time of year.
Plant selection
In principle, this plant will fit any plants.
However, planted along the edges of the coastline will look particularly impressive:
- irises;
- bathing vessels;
- spiraea,
- loosestrife.
For a dry stream, such plants as bergenia, awl-shaped bryce, horizontal juniper, day-lily, primula, headstrip, host, and offal can also be suitable.
On the segments where the shadow often falls, you can plant shade-tolerant perennials, in particular, hosts and ferns look good.
You can consider the option of decorating plants that are commonly used in alpine slides.
Flowers and herbs should be planted in groups and as a tapeworm. Thickened landings should be avoided. This will create a negligent effect. Large spreading flowers should be alternated with low ground cover.
Important! When choosing plants to decorate the shores of a dry stream, factors such as soil composition, the degree of illumination of the site, and the presence of drafts should be taken into account..
Examples with photos
In our selection of options for a dry stream in the country with their own hands with photos you can see different options for decorating a dry stream.
This is a variant of a dry stream made of bright blue stones and decorated with a wooden bridge. 
Variant of a red stream with a source from a decorative jug 
Decoration option lush flowers and wooden bridge
Dry creek with a source of stone lake, decorated with green islets, flowers and a log. The naturalness of the object is given by decorative water lilies. 
Dry creek can be made not only from stones, but also from flowers 
Such a laying of flat stones will create the effect of rapid flow. 
Dry stream suitable for decorating unattractive communications 
A simple option is suitable for a small area 
The stream, lined with monochromatic light stones, looks more natural if it is made with brains 
If you lay out several channels that diverge, then converge among themselves, it always looks natural 
Imitation of the islands is done with the help of large stones, which are placed in the center of the channel. 
Dry creek - an original element of landscape design, which will undoubtedly attract the attention of your guests and fill you with positive energy when contemplating it. We hope, using our instructions and recommendations, you will be able to quickly, easily and cheaply ennoble a corner of your country estate.
