| Waterfalls & Fountains |
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  aving just attempted to create my own waterfall at home the beautiful images shown in this book would put most people's efforts to shame. Although a lot of the pictures portray more grandiose projects than mere mortals could aspire to, the ideas can certainly be scaled down to suit most plots and budgets.
The first section is nicely sub-divided into varying styles of waterfalls, streams, water features and fountains. The author, renowned horticulturalist, Philip Swindells cleverly points out the pitfalls and advantages of each type of water feature as the section progresses. There is also good reference to companion planting to make the feature look more pleasing to the eye. On some of the more modern designs the use of colour in the construction materials is emphasised.
The self-contained fountain section shows you can even enjoy the sound of water in the smallest of gardens. These can be of either modern or classical design and the choices available to the buyer these days are limitless. There are more examples of these later on in the publication or why not explore your local garden centre for inspiration, it's often nice to see and hear the features working.
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 he next section starts with some general design information and introduces the reader to the range of materials available in his quest for the perfect water feature. Having received a taste of things to come, and assuming by now our enthusiastic waterfall expert knows exactly what he wants, there are specific designs and easy to follow instructions for a large number of features. There are lots of handy tips included, such as how to work out the required water flow for your waterfall, before you buy the pump.
The book culminates with the author, Philip Swindells, providing some very useful notes on pond hygiene, general maintenance, and the introduction of fish and plants to your pond.
 verall a very informative, interesting and beautifully illustrated book, ideal for anyone considering some sort of water feature for their garden. On a lighter note look out for the article on 'How to build a fountain tree'. I'm not sure how this found it's way into these well written pages unless it was sponsored by one of the hose manufacturers!
Sample Pages
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Contents
Introduction
Natural waterfalls
Formal waterfalls
Canals and rills
Cascades and staircases
Streams and brooks
Waterside features
Ornamental fountains
Fountain spray effects
Wall fountains and grottoes
Self-contained fountain features
Basic design and construction
Options and materials
Pumps and filters
Header pools and reservoirs
Waterfall from pre-formed units
Making a waterfall using liner
Making a canal or rill
Making a stream
Making a poolside feature
Fountain spray patterns
Installing a pond fountain
Making a wall fountain
Making a self-contained pond feature
Making a pot fountain
Building a fountain tree
Plants and fish
General maintenance
Maintaining hygiene and winter care
Index
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| Reviewed by Chris Morgan |
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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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