Water Gardening : Ponds, Plants and How to Look After Them

Water features have become an essential part of contemporary gardening, and this new title in the popular Collins Practical Gardener series provides all the practical know-how for installing a water feature with a comprehensive directory of the plants to grow in and around them. The first section of this book takes an in-depth look at all the practical and design considerations involved in choosing and building a water feature -- where to site it; different materials and styles, such as waterfalls, fountains, streams, beaches, bog gardens; constructing the feature and installing extras, such as pumps, lights and safety features; maintenance e. g. keeping the water clean. The main part of the book is a comprehensive directory of aquatic plants, divided into six sections reflecting the full range of plants: floating, flowering, oxygenating, marginal, bog, grasses and ferns. Each entry includes a visual chart listing the best varieties and indicating when to plant, length of flowering season, spread, height and hardiness. In addition, quick-access care charts provide a hit list of care requirements and problems to look out for. The final chapters include a special section on keeping and attracting wildlife to water features, and an extensive troubleshooting section on pond problems and how to deal with them.