A key design element since the first gardens were tilled, water has been managed into a surprising range of styles — in symbolic and mythological themes, for private contemplation, and for large-scale displays of power and wealth. This book traces the history of fountains and describes key examples such as Moorish water gardens in Spain, Renaissance pleasure fountains, impressive schemes at Chatsworth and Vaux le Vicomte, and a wide range of contemporary cascades. More than 150 color illustrations depict these inspiring features.

Bring life and movement to your outdoor living space with the sparkle and cool serenity of water. Alan and Gill Bridgewater show you how to add ponds, pools, cascades, waterspouts, and more to your garden or yard. With step-by-step instructions for 16 easy projects that include a classic wall-mounted fountain spout, a Japanese-style bamboo water pump, and even a container bog garden, you’ll soon be building a stylish water feature that’s perfectly suited to your landscape.

Designing & building water features in your garden.

Garden Ponds, Fountains & Waterfalls for Your Home provides essential information on designing and installing all types of home water gardens, from naturalistic to formal, plus fountains, waterfalls, streams, and bog gardens. Readers will learn how to construct each of these structures, as well as how to design bridges and stepping-stones.

Before starting your water feature, learn from these detailed case studies that depict actual gardens progressing from planning to planting, using only modest building skills.

Backyard Water Gardens is a complete overview of everything you need to know in order to create a backyard water feature, from ideas, to installation, to maintaining, to stocking with plants and fish.

Designer Dorcas Adkins shares her simple techniques for crafting 20 creative fountains, from a small tabletop fountain put together without a single tool to a dramatic outdoor spouting wall fountain. There are designs to fit all styles of home design and garden settings. Simple Fountains is a complete workshop in a book. Adkins covers everything you need to know about materials, supplies, and assembly, whether you choose to work with wood, stones, ceramic, or other materials. No previous building experience is required.

Plan, create, and enjoy your dream water garden! DIY Guide to Ponds, Fountains, Rain Gardens & Water Features provides essential information on designing and installing all types of home water gardens, from naturalistic to formal, plus fountains, waterfalls, streams, bog gardens, rain gardens, and more. With this expert guide, you’ll learn how to construct each of these structures, as well as how to incorporate a variety of aquatic plants, fish, and other pond inhabitants, and even how to design wooden bridges and stepping-stones. You'll also find advice and plants for all regions, plus special tips for gardens in extreme conditions and zone charts. A best-selling resource, this newly updated edition features today’s newest technologies and products, such as pond-less waterfall kits for small spaces, as well as a new chapter on constructing naturalistic swimming ponds that are free from chlorine. Also included is new information on construction, planting methods, and various DIY ponds, water features, and rain gardens that are suitable for both small, urban lots and expansive suburban landscapes, making this complete how-to guide accessible for anyone!

• A practical, easy-to-understand guide to adding both still (ponds) and moving (waterfalls and streams) water features to any garden. • Includes complete, easy-to-follow instructions on designing, establishing, and caring for a variety of eye-pleasing water projects. • More than 220 vivid photographs and illustrations, plus detailed instructions, make this guide a must-have for garden enthusiasts looking to plan and build a water feature. • Expert advice on selecting the right fish and plants for embellishing any backyard aquatic paradise. • Solution-based format will inspire you to confidently create water havens in your own yard.

Whether you are looking to create a lush outdoor paradise, complete with waterfalls and fish-filled ponds, or you simply want a conservative balcony fountain, this book can show you how to build your own backyard escape no matter your budget.