The Romantic Garden

According to Rose, a romantic garden offers sanctuary ""from the harassment of everyday life,'' a feeling of isolation, a sense of mystery and an abundance of roses. The book reveals a range of tricks that will transform an ordinary plot into an enchanting retreat. Rose knowledgeably discusses such elements as walls and fences (stone or brick are preferred; chain link is a last resort), statuary, seating and choice of plantsalthough some of his suggestions are a bit too fantastic to take seriously (among his list of appropriate objects are ``artefacts such as large fragments of amphorae collected from Aegean beaches''). Other books may provide more detailed directions on building walls and cultivating plants, but Rose's inspiring, fanciful prose more than compensates for the dearth of brass tacks. A plant chart offers tips on cultivation but generally includes only the Latin names of the vegetation. The work is lavishly illustrated with enticing color sketches and photographs of imaginative gardens. Rose is gardening correspondent of the London Sunday Times and author of The Low Maintenance Garden. (March)