Water will bring a garden miraculously to life, drawing the eye more than any other feature. This guide shows you how to design and make a water feature to suit any size and style of garden, from a large wildlife pond, stream or rill to the tiniest pebble or wall fountain.

This guide provides the ideas and know-how needed for creating a garden from scratch. Aimed at the novice gardener, the book takes you through every stage of the design, construction and planting process, helping to assess your needs and match them to your plot, budget and time available.

From the sacred groves of Ancient Greece, to the secluded outside rooms of Sissinghurst, this work is a history of secret gardens. Five case studies demonstrate how design principles can be turned into reality and there is practical advice, from planting to the skilful use of water.

Based on her hit Allotment Tales column for "The Scotsman and New Consumer Magazine", Antonia Swinson - the First Lady of the allotment - shares, not only her tips for gardening and allotment management, but also the effect of her time spent in the mud.