"Complete Guide to Water Gardens" - Kathleen Fisher

Kathleen Fisher's book on water-garden design tells novices everything they need to know -- and a little bit more. If you can't find the answers to your questions on water-garden design in this book, then, quite simply, you are not a novice at all.

You know a book aims at a thorough treatment of its subject when its first chapter offers some historical perspective. Such is the case with this work on water-garden design.

Ch. 2 brings us back down to earth with a look at planning a water-garden design, including how to site the feature and how to determine its size and style. E.g., one style considered is the Japanese. Ch. 3 starts with information on materials. The pros and cons of flexible liners vs. preformed liners will greatly aid novices in making up their minds on this fundamental choice. Buying rock and edging are other topics covered.

In Ch. 4, we finally get to the installation itself. Advice is offered for excavation and how to lay liners (both flexible and preformed). Ch. 5 discusses the element of motion in water-garden design: waterfalls and streams. Pumps and tubing are treated, as well.

With the heavy lifting done, in Chapters 6-10 we're permitted some frills. Ch. 6 deals with fountains, lighting and statuary, Ch. 7 with bridges and stepping-stones. Ch. 8 is specifically for bog-garden enthusiasts. Chapters 9-10 will appeal to those seeking to keep aquatic animals in their ponds, as filtration is discussed, along with pet choices from koi to turtles.

Ch. 11 presents the essentials of pond maintenance and trouble-shooting, while Ch. 12 is the "heart of the book," choosing plants for your feature: submerged, floating, water lilies, lotuses, marginal (need water depths of 1' or less) and peripheral.