Every garden benefits from planning. Whatever you want from your garden, whether it be a rambling verdant retreat, a wildlife haven, an outdoor dining room or a hassle-free backyard, good planning and design are essential. This book encourages you to look at what you want from your garden, to plan around those needs, and to create a personalized garden that you can enjoy for years to come. Over 50 different types of gardens are planned out, grouped into the most popular areas: surprisingly simple water gardens, stylish Japanese gardens, low maintenance gardens and gardens for entertaining, playing, eating, and growing things in. Sizes and shapes are catered for too; L-shaped or sloping, balcony, patio or roof terrace, small or large, all are shown with excellent, original ideas for making the most of your natural assets. Each plan is large and clear with a useful key identifying each element of the design, as well as practical step-by-step tips on how to achieve certain elements in the design, whether it be laying gravel, maintaining container plants or constructing a pond. Examples of plants suitable for the different types of gardens are photographed and described, so that you can choose the right plants for the best positions, conditions and styles.