In The Garden

Joyful, carefree exuberance is the hallmark of cottage gardens and it is that reckless abandon that warms my heart. This book — in which captions are the only words — is a spectacular display. The lush gardens in these gorgeous pictures invite long, leisurely visits…

This cover’s verdant alcove entices me to enter, sit on the bench for a while, and take in its secluded beauty. Absent that opportunity, this book offers nice consolation as it encourages the reader to create the lovely garden “rooms” reflected on its pages.

Garden aficionados, this book is for you. Page after glorious page of luxuriant garden vignettes are designed to appeal to the senses and keep you turning the pages. It achieves its goal beautifully.

Across the pages of this book creep clematis, morning glories, wisteria.... Yet (pretty photos notwithstanding) it is the creative ideas that are the star of the show as Rosenfeld guides the reader in designing a garden that’s on the move.

Statuary, urns and obelisks... oh, my! Tucked within the flora, these museum-like pieces peek out, adding interest not only to the garden, but to this beautifully photographed book. It’s like having an art gallery in your own back yard.

Photographed in near decadent abundance, roses spill over the cover and onto the pages of this book. Planting roses, decorating with roses, caring for roses — and amidst all this advice: roses, roses, and more roses.

From bud vases of one slender bloom to extravagant arrangements cascading from the ceiling, this book overflows with sumptuous flowers and the details on how to arrange them. This is a feast for the eyes.

Topiaries in terracotta pots, fragrant herbs adorning window boxes, pansies that seem to emanate from moss — these lavish gardens are all contained in... containers. If you’ve ever wondered how “they” do that, you can segue from gardening dilettante to connoisseur (or just pretend) with these detailed instructions and illustrative photos.