Well-known author Leslie Geddes-Brown traces the history of the decorative use of water in the garden, from the tinkling fountains of ancient Persian enclosures to the most avant-garde creations by twenty-first century designers. Thematic chapters present water gardens of all types, from Islamic and Oriental to romantic and formal, and from landscape gardens to town gardens. The book includes the work of such celebrated designers as Harold Peto, Geoffrey Jellicoe, Helen Dillon and Derek Jarman, and such revered gardens as Stourhead, Giverny and the Villa dEste. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction followed by three or four beautifully illustrated features on specific gardens around the globe. The book concludes with an international plant directory, a guide to water gardens open to the public and full contact details of all the contemporary designers featured, making this an essential, inspirational reference for garden lovers everywhere.