Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #368756 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Combining comprehensive text and superb photographs, Swindells's (Natural Water Gardens) newest offers a host of ideas for creating and maintaining many types of water gardens, from small containers with fountains to re-creations of natural landscape settings. The most ambitious projects will be beyond the amateur gardener, but the design ideas and the photographs of actual gardens that illustrate these ideas are so enticing that even novices may be tempted to try. The simpler projects-pools with miniature plants in pots, fountains in large ornamental jars, troughs with pygmy water lilies and dwarf rushes-are well within the reach of beginners. More ambitious gardeners may be inspired to create ponds, waterfalls, wildlife pools, water meadows, bogs, brooks, streams, even lakes. Instructions for making each type of garden are given through a combination of text and photographs that clearly illustrate each step in the process, from choosing and marking out the site to finishing the project with suitable aquatic plants. Accompanying each design idea are lists of water-loving plants suitable for that type of garden-including water lilies, reeds and rushes, bog plants, and floating and submerged aquatics-and there are chapters on how to buy, plant, fertilize, divide, propagate and care for these plants. This beautifully illustrated volume may feel more like a coffee-table book than an encyclopedia, but it covers its subject in depth.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Swindells has long been engaged in the many facets of water gardening and aquatic plants, and imparts his considerable expertise in a comprehensive and alluring manual containing plenty of practical information to meet the needs of individuals with a do-it-yourself attitude. The broad range of large-scale water features shown in lavish, colorful photographs might also spur on those who can see their way to hiring a designer or landscape contractor to assist with more ambitious projects. Illustrations provide basic, step-by-step approaches to creating ponds and fountains, a host of container possibilities for decks and patios, and far grander waterfalls and reflecting pools appropriate for expansive yards or country properties. Swindells' source book is highly instructive, with how-to advice aimed at clarifying the important aspects to be considered when designing and constructing a remarkable array of water elements for gardens. Planting suggestions round out the material. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Diane Calabrese, American Reference Books Annual, Volume 35 /2004
It is the staggering array of photographs of water-filled spaces that will capture imaginations.

Customer Reviews

Recommended Reading
This book was recommended by a friend helping me with the yard maintenance. I would recommend this book to each and everyone interested in building a pond, or creating a different kind of garden. The pictures are realistic, the descriptions and instructions are people friendly. My favorite water garden book.

Good, but not an encyclopedia
This is a book that will guide you in planning, building and maintaining any type of water garden you could imagine. It covers a lot of territory, from container water gardens to formal pools, bog gardens, rills, canals and even dew ponds. It will help you plan lighting, bridges, stepping stones and wet islands. It is especially useful in letting you know what you should be planning ahead for, what aspect you might not have considered that should be factored in. The writer includes a goodly section on plants too, including bog and marginal plants.

Some of the pond construction details are complex and might make you consider getting expert help. Sound foundations for even the most simple rustic bridge require concrete footings, perhaps with reinforcing rods. The book has much to offer in the area of pond maintenance, and in how to propagate and plant water plants - I loved the idea of planting them in old panty hose, rather than planting baskets or burlap - but I thought the section on fish and pond ecology was weak.

While comprehensive and having plenty of useful ideas and caveats, this is not an encyclopedia. Written by a water garden specialist from Britain, the book will make an interesting and attractive addition to your water garden library. It is useful and well illustrated with step-by-step how-to-do-it photographs, but it is nowhere near being an encyclopedia.

Good, but not an encyclopedia
This is a book that will guide you in planning, building and maintaining any type of water garden you could imagine. It covers a lot of territory, from container water gardens to formal pools, bog gardens, rills, canals and even dew ponds. It will help you plan lighting, bridges, stepping stones and wet islands. It is especially useful in letting you know what you should be planning ahead for, what aspect you might not have considered that should be factored in. The writer includes a goodly section on plants too, including bog and marginal plants.

Some of the pond construction details are complex and might make you consider getting expert help. Sound foundations for even the most simple rustic bridge require concrete footings, perhaps with reinforcing rods. The book has much to offer in the area of pond maintenance, and in how to propagate and plant water plants - I loved the idea of planting them in old panty hose, rather than planting baskets or burlap - but I thought the section on fish and pond ecology was weak.

While comprehensive and having plenty of useful ideas and caveats, this is not an encyclopedia. Written by a water garden specialist from Britain, the book will make an interesting and attractive addition to your water garden library. It is useful and well illustrated with step-by-step how-to-do-it photographs, but it is nowhere near being an encyclopedia.