Description: Everyone loves to be surrounded by plants, but who has the time, energy, and patience needed to cultivate a large, work-intensive garden? Here's a guide for everyone who wants the peace and tranquility of a private retreat without the fuss. Easier to create and tend, patio and courtyard gardens also offer more enjoyment per square foot than other gardens. They are designed for living -- eating, entertaining, or simply sitting -- not admiring from afar. All you need to know to make these intimate "outdoor rooms" is found in these pages. Learn how to choose and lay the surface...pick containers...construct raised beds...even add finishing touches such as lighting. And, a comprehensive, fully illustrated plant directory gives a host of ideas for filling your garden with flowers and foliage -- and tips to ensure they will thrive. So, relax -- the perfect garden retreat is just outside your door.

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