We all want a little romance in our lives, so why not in our gardens, too? You can probably imagine a romantic hideaway filled with flowers and dramatic features that sweep you away. But how can you create this vision of romance in your own back yard?

Here are some elements that will lead you down the path.

Seclusion. A romantic garden is a sanctuary, separated from the world and our daily cares. Create privacy with fences, trees and shrubs. Screen out unwanted views to keep the focus inward.

Provide charming entrances into your garden retreat. An artistic gate will add richness, and nothing is more romantic than an archway dripping with roses.

Intimate spaces. Intimacy is an important part of romance. A cozy seating area can be as simple as two chairs nestled together surrounded by a few carefully placed shrubs. A more elaborate solution is an arbor or small garden house sheltering a seating area. Add a table and you have a snug dining area.

Lush planting. Think of layering your plants: trees form the top layer, then shrubs underneath and perennials and ground covers below. Lush planting also means no bare soil. Place plants so that when they grow in, they touch and cover all the visible soil. (This also has the practical effect of keeping weeds from growing, so you have more time for romance!)

Climbing plants add another layer to the composition and can turn a bare fence into a wall of greenery and flowers. Clematis is an ideal climber to cover a fence or wall.

The right flowers. We think of an old-fashioned flower garden as being romantic, but how do you get that look? Use a little forethought when choosing your plants, selecting long-blooming perennials such as Frikart's aster and repeat-blooming daylilies. Add some summer-blooming small shrubs including lavender and hebe, which will also provide winter structure when the perennials disappear.

Roses have long been associated with romance and speak of love with their color, fragrance and effulgent abundance. Let them drape over arbors, clamber up pillars or weave into mixed borders.

Fragrance. Fragrant plants, the perfume of the garden, bring romance in on the breeze. Lilies, especially the oriental hybrid and trumpet varieties, are at their peak in midsummer. Mock orange flowers in late spring with scented white blossoms. And no romantic garden should be without the fragrance of lilacs (Syringa species).

Containers. Adding containers overflowing with plants is an easy way to bring romantic abandon to your garden. They pack a lot of impact in a small space. The container itself can be a feature — choose a colorful ceramic pot or classic terra cotta pot. A foolproof method of designing attractive pots is to use at least three different plant textures. Choose a spiky plant like a hardy dracaena (Cordyline australis) and contrast it with the frilled round leaves of coral-bells (Heuchera) and throw in a fine textured annual such as nemesia. Go for profusion and you can't go wrong.

Romantic accessories. The details of the garden can make it into your personal statement, an opportunity to express your style. Artwork can create a focal point; a sculpture can add a whimsical or classical touch.

Furniture will also reinforce a theme. You can choose contemporary pieces for modern romance or pieces reminiscent of another time and place if you want an old-fashioned feel.

Lighting. Candles are an age-old way to add romance to the scene. Place them on tables or in hanging lanterns wherever guests wander in the garden. Luminarias, made with candles set into sand in paper bags, add a soft glow to a path.

Romantic gardens are made by adding many elements together to create a haven for your senses. Just remember: When it comes to romance, it is hard to overdo it.

Phil Wood has a degree in landscape architecture and designs and builds gardens. Call 206-464-8533 or e-mail thegardendesigner@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.