Shady retreats 20 plans for colorful, private spaces in your backyard

An intimate sanctuary shaded from the heat of the sun--Ellis believes every garden should have just such an inviting space, and points the way to creating one regardless of the attributes, or unfavorable conditions, of an existing yard. Whether starting with a blank slate or introducing a renovated area within a maturing garden, Ellis' guide addresses budgets great and small, as well as landscapes ranging from expansive properties to petite lots. In all, 20 garden plans suggest intriguing possibilities, from bringing in a formidable hardscape element such as a gazebo and surrounding it with greenery to inserting a small terrace under existing trees and enhancing it with container plantings. A congenial writing style provides plenty of encouragement, while a final section describes an array of tender specimens, perennials, trees, and shrubs to handsomely furnish the new space. --Alice Joyce