Creative Homeowner, a publisher of gardening, decorating and home improvement books, has recently released three new titles.

The Complete Guide to Water Gardens ($19.95) provides information on designing and installing all types of water gardens.

First, the aesthetic considerations are addressed — finding the best location and determining the right shape, etc. Then practical considerations, such as soil, sun and climate, are factored in.

The 200-page book has 400 color photos with detailed chapters on choosing tools and materials, building the pond foundation, constructing streams and waterfalls, installing fountains and lighting and designing with bridges and stepping stones.

Creating Good Gardens ($16.95) teaches timesaving techniques along with how to plan, plant and maintain a garden.

Readers learn how to make a blueprint of their gardens, coordinating landscape planning with life-style, and are shown how to use floral color combinations, foliage textures and seasonal colors and blooms to create a garden that's appealing and practical.

All aspects of garden care also are covered.

Complete Home Landscaping ($24.95) is, at 320 pages, the largest book the company has produced and is broken into three parts:

Preparing to landscape helps determine landscape needs before you start, including designing, budgeting and maximizing a property's assets.

Setting the stage helps one land the ground work, including determining the soil and drainage needs, installing paths and edging and designing structures such as walls and trellises.

Planting and growing contains information about plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs and includes listings of the right plants for each region, growing conditions and care.

With more than 800 color photos and illustrations, the book covers all aspects of landscaping.

Complete Homeowner has been publishing for more than 20 years. For information on the new books phone 1-800-631-7795, or visit the web site, www.creativehomeowner.com.

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