A water feature has become an almost essential part of a garden. Watch any television series like Ground Force or other home and lifestyle programmes, and you will see that a water tub, garden pond or - for the more adventurous - a fountain or waterfall are usually included.

Ponds and water features can provide delicate splashes of colour to your garden, with radiant water irises and water lilies, the glimmering iridescence of goldfish, the graceful movements of Koi, and reflections from the sky above.

Water has immense attraction for people. For centuries they have enjoyed the beauty of fountains and water gardens in their public squares and private estates. Water gardens create a natural focal point, whether located in the home garden, shopping mall, or office building.

Water also has a relaxing effect, whether it is the rhythmic waves of the ocean, a gently running brook, or the quiet beauty of a pond.

Water garden designs vary, according to space and individual gardener's desires. Tropical gardens with exotic lotus flowers may fill one gardener's wishes, while another may dream of relaxing beside a whispering waterfall. Water gardens are also designed to provide superb eco-systems for plants and fish.

Fish are one of the components in balancing a successful water garden. They add colour and movement and act as pond gardeners. They trim excess foliage and eat algae, mosquito larvae, aphids, flies and other insects. Koi, the most desirable pond fish, are intelligent, hardy, responsive to humans and come in a lovely array of colours. To develop your own water garden, you need to decide what you want.

Spring is a perfect time to start installing a water feature and it is always as well to take advice from books, the internet or from local specialists and garden centres on the type and size of feature, on aquatic plants and fish and how to care for them.