Vase Outdoor Fountains

An urn fountain gives a patio, garden bed, or courtyard a standing focal point with height, water movement, and sound. Because the vessel stands upright, it brings that presence without taking up much ground space.

That compact footprint suits entryways, walkway ends, and small seating areas where a wide fountain would not fit. The steady sound can also help cover street and neighborhood noise around outdoor seating.

Urn fountains come in a few formats. The real difference is where the water lands and how much open water you want to see.

Urns in an open basin

Choose an open basin when visible standing water and reflections should be part of the display. Fiore Stone pairs urns with round and quatrefoil basins, and Giannini Garden offers urns with 51 inch ponds.

The tradeoff is space and upkeep. A wide basin wants more ground clearance, and the water surface will collect leaves and debris.

Self-contained and pondless urns

Choose a self-contained urn when you would rather not keep an open pool of water around. Fiore Stone builds some urns over a 2 foot reservoir, and several Blue Thumb models are listed without a pool or basin.

With no open pool to skim, these are a sensible choice where standing water is a concern around small children or pets. They also suit gravel beds and tight spots where a wide basin would not fit.

Multi-urn groupings

Choose a triple urn when you want a wider display and more sound. Blue Thumb's triple stone urns are graduated at 24, 30, and 36 inches, and its triple Corten steel fountain uses spouted urns in a similar grouping.

Wall-mounted urns

Choose a wall urn when ground space is tight. Giannini Garden's Etruria urn wall fountains sit flat against an exterior wall, with or without a spout, and suit narrow walkways and small patios.

If your spot needs a tighter fit, compare our outdoor corner fountains. For water that starts at the top and falls downward, see our rain outdoor fountains.

Three things settle most of the decision. Match them to the space rather than to the fountain you like the look of.

• Scale. Small urns sit well along a patio edge. Urns in 46 or 55 inch basins are built for open areas such as a driveway island or a broad courtyard.
• Material and weight. Cast stone and stone pieces are heavy and hold their place in wind and weather. Brass brings a hand-applied aqua patina, and Corten steel weathers to a naturally rusted, aged finish.
• Sound and flow. A top bubbler gives a gentle trickle that suits quiet seating areas. Spouts, tiered cascades, and multi-urn sets move more water and produce fuller sound for masking traffic noise.

Not sure which end of that scale you need? Browse vase outdoor fountains for slimmer shapes, or outdoor bubbler fountains if gentle sound is the main goal.