cover image Water Features for Small Gardens

Water Features for Small Gardens

Francesca Greenoak. Trafalgar Square Publishing, $24.95 (96pp) ISBN 978-1-57076-053-2

Capturing in a garden context water's elusive reflective and invigorating properties, Greenoak (Glorious Gardens) offers ideas to rouse the thirst of the most soil-bound of gardeners. Extensively illustrated with color photos, six chapters spotlight distinctive types of water gardens from the simplicity of a subtle bowl to a landscape-dominating canal. The book opens a mini-encyclopedia of well-designed backyard and entry-way possibilities: a whimsical sculpture of a swimmer spouts water from one wine barrel into another; a dripping fountain heightens the intricate geologic patterns in a bed of stones; a naturalistic pond attracts wildlife. Informative photo captions alert the reader's eye to design elements as well as identify plants. Four-color drawings illustrate steps of construction and maintenance (pond filling, pump cleaning, plant pruning and hygiene) of elementary ponds and pools. Profiles of common species of aquatic and waterside plants useful in the U. S. are also provided. Garden Book Club selection. (July)