Water Features (Soma Basics) [Paperback]

David Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Series: Soma Basics | Publication Date: January 30, 2001

Getaways for physical and spiritual renewal don't have to involve distance or expense; they can happen right at home with a well-planned garden that utilizes water in a special way. Placing a pool, fountain, or stream in an existing outdoor environment can be daunting but need not involve massive cost or a complete redesign. In SOMA Basics: Water Features, David Stevens shows readers how to add striking water features to their yards -- from spouting shells to soothing ponds -- while keeping the mechanics invisible.

Using the same colorful, compact format as SOMA Basics: Garden Design, this book covers style, structures, materials, and methods. Full-color photos, matched with professional plans and illustrations, go from concept to completion using the latest designs and technology.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Of these two garden design titles, readers will be more enthused over Lovejoy's excellent work. Lovejoy conducts garden design classes near Seattle and presents the same curriculum here. A strong advocate of naturalistic gardening, she encourages gardeners to seek out the native plants growing in their particular area and use them to their greatest advantage in an entirely organic way. She begins by discussing the principles of design with the "five senses of the garden" (welcome, enclosure, entry, flow, and place) and continues with other design principles such as "green architecture" (elements of the garden such as plants and structures), creating natural backdrops, "sandwich gardening" (intermingling plants in the same location), and using combinations and vignettes. Other informative sections focus on the power of paths and walkways, layering plants to scale, and problem-solving. Helpful charts list specific plants for certain situations. The last third of the book focuses on maintenance and offers clear-cut advice and instructions on mulching, composting, etc. Included at the end of the volume is a 34-page workbook for readers to list plant choices, set goals, and create their own garden plan. This is not a pullout section but it does contain fill in the blanks. Lovejoy's book is highly recommended. In Steven's concise and colorful guide, the award-winning garden designer shows that garden design does not have to be a complicated affair. Chapters focus on individual aspects of garden design (surveying the property, choosing a design, implementing the design), and case studies show five different gardens in various styles (a walled garden, suburban garden, roof terrace, etc.). There is also a source list for garden structures and other materials. This is a small paperbound book (under 100 pages) with limited text and well-chosen illustrations; nice but not an essential purchase. Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

David Stevens is the first ever Professor of Garden Design at Middlesex University and has won eleven Chelsea Flower Show gold medals. He has presented two popular garden design series on British television and has written many books for Conran Octopus, including the Garden Design Sourcebook, Simple Garden Projects and Small Gardens and Backyards. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Soma Books (January 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579590624
• ISBN-13: 978-1579590628
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,784,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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