Formal Ponds and Water Gardens [Paperback]

Philip Swindells (Author)

Book Description

Series: Water Gardens Handbooks | Publication Date: May 31, 2002

Formal gardens are always designed with an eye to symmetry and proportion. This book instructs on how to achieve these qualities while also integrating water features into the garden. These handsome, instructively illustrated "how-to" books cover a wide array of imaginative water garden concepts. Exceptionally attractive designs and ambitious projects can be carried out with surprising ease by gardeners who follow the author's clear, step-by-step, photo-illustrated instructions. Details include suggestions for stocking water gardens with fish and embellishing them with aquatic and waterside plants. These practical books emphasize low-maintenance water features that offer maximum beauty with a minimum of fuss. Approximately 175 full-color photos.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A well-proportioned formal pool, perhaps surrounded by stone and positioned to take full advantage of its natural surroundings, can catch your eye like no other feature in a garden. This book reveals how to go about planning the style, proportion, and position of a formal water feature, the materials and techniques required to build it, and the correct way to install and maintain pumps and filters. Selection and care of fish and plants is also covered.

PRACTICAL ADVICE
Simple step-by-step instructions show you how to establish and care for your water feature.

MAINTENANCE
Tips for low-maintenance ways of keeping your pool clean, clear, and looking good.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
From making plans to getting the right tools and materials, here’s all you need to know about the practical side of building a formal water feature.

PLANTS AND FISH
Bring your pool to life with the right fish and aquatic plants, and learn how the pond’s water chemistry can be tested and regulated.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Barron''s Educational Series (May 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764118463
• ISBN-13: 978-0764118463
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,530,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars nice color photos and good info, April 18, 2007

By 

Rosemary Thornton "Niece of Addie Hoyt Fargo ... (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Water Garden Handbk Formal Ponds & Water (Water Gardens Handbook) (Hardcover)

This 64-page book is interesting to flip through and is akin to a minature coffee table book (therefore, maybe it's an 'end table' book?).

On the plus side, the pictures are sharp and clear and sparkly. There are some good ideas contained within, with accurate and concise info on managing a pond. The downside is, there is a lot of vegetation and landscaping featured in the photos. I'd have preferred stark photos of naked ponds, sans all the greenery. Because of that, the book has more of a glossy "Better Homes and Garden" look, rather than, "here are some good ideas for your backyard pond."

And the variety of ponds offered is a little shy. Growing up in Portsmouth, VA, I was a frequent visitor to an old house nearby that boasted the most beautiful fish pond one could imagine. It was ornate, massive, rambling and ostentatious. "Formal Ponds" featured only more modest square, rectangular and circular ponds. Yawn.

My *kingdom* for a book on fish ponds that features vintage designs and old photos.

However, I'd still recommend it. It's not too pricey and it's a fun read for a rainy day.