| Pond Features & Decorations |
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  ay water features to most people and most will think of statues of greek goddesses or plastic herons. A new handbook Pond Features and Decorations by renowned horticultural expert, Philip Swindells is set to change minds and to show gardeners how to bring a new dimension to their water gardens.
One page depicts a stunning decked area by a waterlily pond with a faux theatre gazebo, complete with theatrical style drapes! Guaranteed to bring impact to a garden. However, this may not be to everyones taste, but fear not. Within the pages of this fascinating handbook there is sure to be a design idea that will appeal to all gardeners regardless of their experience, budget or garden size.
 was particularly intrigued with a suggestion to use stepping stones for not only for crossing a pond, but also as a way of compartmentalizing the water. This would then allow the gardener to make an effect of almost having a pond within a pond. One side devoted to waterlilies and regimental marginals whilst the other could have a flooring of mosaic style tiles for contrast. This idea does not seem to have any limitations and the variations that a gardener could almost be as seasonal as the rest of the garden planting scheme.
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 his is a well organised, easy to understand and, as with the others in the series, beautifully illustrated book covering most of what you need to know when introducing pond plants or marginals.
The author, Philip Swindells demonstrates to the would-be water gardener how to achieve very dramatic effects not only by addind attractive deocrative features to water, but by actually harnessing the smooth-flowing grace of water to bring a mainly unexplored dimension to water gardening.
By adding a mirror behind a water cascade the depth of the flow seems almost limitless, whilst on another page Philip Swindells has suggested employing the use of underwater lighting or a fogger unit to turn a stream into a seeming mystical river of fire.
 eyond the introductory pages filled with fascinating information on different forms of decorative ideas there are a range of water feature designs that have been broken down into easy to follow instructions.
Each page is filled with a mixture of easy to understand background information and advice along with beautiful full-colour photographs of truly inspiring water feature designs. Awaiting in these pages are projects as diverse as creating a dry brick island to building and installing an arched bridge feature.
Sample Pages
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Contents
Introduction
Decking
Lighting
Stepping stones
Bridges and causeways
Floating features
Islands
Edging with stone
Edging with timber
Natural edging with plants
Ornaments and decorations
Making your own decking
Using ready-made decking
Installing in-pool lighting
Installing external lights
Making stepping stones
Laying stepping stones
Making a wooden bridge
Installing an arched bridge
Making a raft for planting
Making a wet island
Making a dry brick island
Edging with paving stones
Edging with a cobble beach
Edging with timber
Using natual grass edging
Edging with coir roll
Maintaining the eco-balance
Seasonal care
Index
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| Reviewed by Katie Brooks |
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Other titles in this series...
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| All of the books reviewed are available from selected UK Garden Centres. To search for a garden centre near you or anywhere else in the United Kingdom click on the image to the right. * Note: It is always advisable to telephone a garden centre before you visit to check on stock levels of specific items. Should the item you require not be currently in stock, the garden centre will be happy to order it for you.
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