The Bottom Line
- A thorough presentation of water-garden design.
- Little consideration given to costs incurred in projects.
Description
- Greatest water-garden designs ever are reviewed in Ch. 1, from the Taj Mahal to the Epcot Center.
- Photos and illustrations bring water-garden design ideas alive.
- Not much advice in this book for cutting some corners to save money.
- Water-garden design tips:
- 1.Don't make it too small. "One-third the size of your yard isn't too big."
- 2.During excavation, dig out shallower shelves to accomodate "marginal plants."
- 3.Landscape lighting around ponds is preferable to underwater light, which creates excessive glare.
Guide Review - "Complete Guide to Water Gardens" - Kathleen Fisher
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.
