The POWER of Water!

by Danny Summers

We know the amazing Power of Plants. We have known this instinctively for decades and we have also seen direct evidence first-hand over the last several years. At the same time, we also know water is one of the most essential resources for all living things.

In fact, our bodies are made up of at least 60% water. Do you know our brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water? The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are composed of 79%, and even the bones are watery at 31%. (READ MORE HERE).

It is easy to recognize the POWER of Water for humans, plants and animals. But what about other benefits such as mental health?

Last year we experienced Florence Williams' book "The Nature Fix" and we drilled down into the science as it relates to being around plants. But her work also involves natural surroundings. This gave me the idea of... what about sound?

Do a quick search. and you will find considerable evidence that natural sounds are also important. Most studies of sounds in nature include animals, water and wind.

In a study released last year for our National Parks published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Science says,

"Natural sounds improve health, increase positive affect, and lower stress and annoyance. Of the three types of natural sounds (birds, water, and mixed), we found that WATER sounds had the largest mean effect size for health and positive effects in outcomes."

Many Garden Centers have included sounds of water (and even birds) in their Centers over the years, but how important can it be for us to encourage these sounds in our Customer's gardens? This seems like the natural next step.

The fact is if we want to encourage Customers to gain the maximum benefits from their gardens with plants, also encouraging them to include the sounds of a water feature can make the benefits even greater.

You may be wondering why I chose the photo of the fountain at the beginning of this message. Of course it's a beautiful fountain, but there's much more to this story. Do you know...

Kansas City, Missouri, site of The Fall Event 2022, has the largest number of public fountains of any city in the world except for Rome, Italy. It is known as the "City of Fountains." In fact, it has over 200 public fountains and a map showing their location plus many sculptures! PREVIEW HERE.

The amazing fountain in the top photo is the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain located in Country Club Plaza, adjacent to our host hotel, the Intercontinental. This grand water sculpture features four heroic horsemen representing four of the world’s mightiest rivers: the Mississippi, the Volga, the Seine, and the Rhine. Here are just a few more founatins to get you excited about The Fall Event 2022.

Children's Fountain

Firefighters Fountain and Memorial

Fountains and Baseball?
To further underscore its position as the City of Fountains, Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, is the only Major League Baseball stadium to feature a 1,322-foot-wide water spectacular in the outfield.

When talking about water, the sounds of water, fountains and other water features there are several people (and companies) that quickly come to mind. First is Rolf and Anita Nelson at Nelson Nursery and Water Gardens in Katy, Texas, a Group Center. They have a Garden Center that grew out of their water gardens wholesale nursery. We took The Fall Event 2016 to their Center and experienced it first hand. One of the unique things I remember was the disappearing fountain basins that Rolf designed and sells (even wholesales). Having a pond-less water feature seems the way to go for the average small garden.

Another one is, of course, Henri Studio who is a long-time supporter of The Group and Sponsor of The Fall Event. Their fountain designs and quality  are unmatched. I told Frank and Jill Honold about writing this article and Frank said, “Jill and I are obviously excited that The Fall Event 2022 is in The City of Fountains this year. The soothing sound and visual dynamic of a strategically placed fountain is the capstone of many garden landscapes. Water also attracts colorful birds, small wildlife and even pollinators. I'm sure we will all be inspired by the many different fountain designs that we'll see as we explore Kansas City… The City of Fountains!”

Kansas City has even created a foundation to help support and promote the city fountains called City of Fountains. VisitKC features a great introduction video to the City of Fountains. Take a few minutes to watch this inspiring message (click on image above).

Also, you can get a head-start on previewing more of the 200+ fountains at CityofFountains.org

The Fall Event 2022 in Kansas City will be the perfect place to be inspired and excited about The Power of Water!  I can't wait!

Mark Your Calendar - September 19-22, 2022 - You'll be busy and out of town!