Good water gardening books?

Could anyone recommend a good water gardening book for a beginner that is all about plants for the pond and marginal areas?

Many thanks,

Russ

 

Most of my water gardening background was gleaned as kid by looking at and falling into ponds, ditches and streams :D

Google is also your friend as is the help and advice available on the forum. For pond design ideas and some helpfull hints about planting I've got Charlie Dimmocks's, Ground Force 'Water Garden Workbook' for a knock down price of �£2 Not terribly detailed but a good starting point. An understanding of hydraulics gained from my days in Engineering is also usefull but not essential.

Think safety first. If small childeren are about ponds are magnet so cover the pond with sturdy steel mesh. If it's just occasional visits such as grandchildren they must be supervised at all times. 1" of water can drown a toddler!

Electrical safety is also a must and either use qualified electricians certified for external installations if using mains equipment or even better use low voltage. It's now possible to get 24V ac pumps rated for up to 2000 litre/min flow, more than enough for a 4" wide waterfall with an 18" head or a sizeable fountain and they aren't much dearer than a mains equivalent.

Simple 'rules' are, min pond depth 30", surface area to fish ratio: 1" of fish lenght per sq. ft, (ie. 10 off 3" fish will need a pond surface are of 30sq ft - roughly 7ft dia but remember fish do grow!) a good mix of oxygenating plants and water purifyers like reeds. Still water for waterlillys, moving water to keep duckweed at bay. Filtration is nice if you want crystal clear water but it can be achieved with a good plant balance as well.

The rest is really down to budget and imagination.

 

The "Expert" series by Hessayon is pretty good - here's the relevant one the Rock and Water Garden Expert

 

Thanks guys. I will have a look at them both.

 

In addition to the above, if you're still looking Rydall, here is my advice as a water gardening newbie...

I bought "Water gardening for everyone" by Philip Swindell, which I quite like although the language is a bit florid and might not be to everyone's taste. I also found the water gardening section in Alan Tichmarsh's "Complete how to be a gardener" very helpful and straightforward, both on pond design, planning and construction, and on planting.

If I could only have one of these it'd be the Titchmarsh one because it's easier to read! The other is useful as an addition though because it goes into more detail and is more portable for trips to the garden centre (and it was only �£2.99)

 

Thanks Claire. I will look out for them in the shops. It is more the individual plants than pond designs, construction that I need so I will see which is best.