City gardens where you can smell the roses

New York City is the home of the concrete canyon. But it's also a place of hidden gardens sandwiched in among high-rise buildings or secreted in areas little traveled. Here are four of our favorite places to relax and smell the roses.

1. ST. LUKE'S GARDEN

WHAT The Church of St. Luke's in the Field is one of the West Village's venerable churches, and the garden is a neighborhood treasure. It's a welcome place to rest your feet after a long day of roaming the neighborhood's twisty little streets as well as its main shopping drags - Bleecker, Hudson and Christopher streets. Enclosed by brick walls, the garden is enhanced with old-fashioned plantings, including a clematis-covered archway. Shady brick paths wend their way through it, and there are plenty of benches.

WHEN | WHERE Main gate at 487 Hudson St.; open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2. GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY GARDEN

WHAT Wrought-iron gates lead to the garden at the seminary of the Episcopal Church - now full of late summer flowers (zinnias, dahlias) and an enormous white hydrangea. Gothic details and mellow old brick abound; the garden is surrounded by the buildings that make up the seminary complex. There are both open lawns and shaded areas, which make this a fine place to recoup after a day of gallery-going. A picture ID is required.

WHEN | WHERE 440 W. 21st St.; open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.

3. CONSERVATORY GARDEN

WHAT Central Park's formal gardens are a popular place for wedding photos, so expect to see a bride or two wandering around in all her finery. But even if you're not wearing white, this is a fine place to sit and catch your breath after a ramble in the park or a day spent exploring Museum Mile. Start with a walk among the allees, shaded by venerable crab-apple trees, and take a little time to sit and relax in the French-style garden beside the romantic "Dancing Maidens" fountain.

WHEN | WHERE Fifth Avenue at 105th Street, in Central Park. Open daily, 8 a.m. to dusk.

4. TEARDROP PARK

WHAT Part of the extensive garden system that snakes through Battery Park City, the Teardrop Garden is a secluded little place. While the name refers to the shape of the garden, it has taken on a greater significance since 9/11. This is a woodland garden, meant to replicate the feel of the mountains: There are rocks to stretch out on, and shady spots where you can sit with a book or newspaper. Kids are thrilled with the huge slide, and the sound sculptures - featuring birdsong, the sound of rushing water, the sound of wind in the trees - enchant everyone.

WHEN | WHERE Between Murray and Warren streets, west of North End Avenue (at the northern end of Battery Park City); open around the clock, seven days a week.