Container Garden
Of course, the deck's main attraction is the numerous pots of plants and flowers that form a virtual oasis in the city. Rosemary and her neighbor bring out their ficus trees and set them around the deck to add some height to the presentation. Other houseplants are "taken on a walk" for the summer, as Rosemary calls it, and placed on tables and in other strategic locations. Next, she adds a few junipers and barberry shrubs to give the garden an initial structure. The latticework at one end of the deck is covered with several clematis vines that bloom at different times.

With the structure in place, it's time for some fun--layering and adding color. Some of Rosemary's favorites for container gardening include yucca plants for their tropical feel, spider flowers for their height, coneflowers for their blooms and heat hardiness, verbena for its purple color and billowing shape, and black-eyed Susans for their showy August blooms.

No matter what furniture and plants you choose to outfit your outdoor space, the key lies in making it an intimate retreat--distinct from your interior rooms. Plan for visitors, though, because such a spot is unlikely to remain a secret for very long.