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. 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.