Water Gardens: Simple Projects, Contemporary Designs

Gardeners wanted; no experience necessary! Chronicle Books is pleased to introduce an exciting and unique new how-to series, Garden Design books. Beginning with Water Gardens and Paths and Walkways, Garden Design books present beautiful photographs of enchanting garden elements and then offer complete step-by-step directions for building the projects pictured. Featuring ideas from award-winning gardens created by renowned landscape architects, the elements include classic garden structures as well as whimsical contemporary designs. Easy-to-follow directions explain exactly what to do and how to do it, what it will cost, and how long it will take. With projects suited to both small and large spaces, the Garden Design series is more than a new collection of lovely picture books -- it is a valuable tool that enables readers to actually create their own outdoor havens. Water Gardens has chapters on basins, bowls, and jars; fountains; ponds; springs and ditches; and watery effects. The many captivating projects include a raised pond with a wooden seat, a three-tiered Italian fountain, a rain dimple with flowers, a water jar with irises, a drainage ditch with roses, and the ever-popular metaphorical French canal.

Hazel White is a horticultural journalist and editor. She was the managing editor of the fortieth anniversary edition of Sunset's Western Garden Book.

Matthew Plut has had his photographs published in Sunset magazine. He lives in San Francisco.