The Courtyard Garden Design - How to achieve a beautiful space

There is no one type of courtyard garden, and no one style. But there are definitely some things to consider before embarking on a design of a courtyard garden.

Materials

Courtyard gardens tend to suit stone and brick flooring. Lawns seem alien in a small courtyard garden. In fact, personally I feel they can be out of place in a large one too, particularly if it is quite shady! And do you want a shed in a courtyard to store the mower? You can achieve a green space using a ground cover plant such as pachysandra, or an ornamental grass. 

Consider the age of the courtyard. Are you wanting to marry the garden with the vernacular style of the surrounding buildings? It is easy to use traditional materials in an old courtyard, and modern materials in a modern courtyard garden. But sometimes client's don't want predictable and want to be challenged! Sometimes designers want to challenge the client!

However, if you are wanting to marry the ages then deck and contemporary sawn stone won't work within the bounds of an old historic courtyard as it is a material more suited to a contemporary modern space. If done well though, it can achieve great things with the juxtaposition of old and new. Modern courtyards are the flip reverse, in that older, aged and more traditional materials tend not to be used, and here you will find that contemporary materials will give that clean and simplistic line. Although again, if used correctly, the marrying of old and new can really make a statement. This does have to approached carefully and with a lot of consideration.

Details

In a traditional space, you can have a simple stone terrace in the middle, or create a more interesting design by mixing paving units – stone and setts, or stone and bricks. Cobble mosaics also work well. The small courtyard garden can take a more intricate floor design without feeling too busy. Paths and smaller seating areas using different materials work well. Large unit materials will also fit; oversized stone will feel even larger in a small garden, creating a more simple and refined space.

Contemporary spaces with slick materials can be very striking, and sometimes the simpler the better. Small flourishes with detail can really lift the garden from ordinary to extraordinary - and make the garden look really high end. This doesn't always need high end budgets either, but just a lot of creativity from the designer. 

Water 

Water features can really enhance a courtyard. The sound of running or trickling water within the confines of a wall awakens another sense and adds a calming atmosphere. Water glistening in the sun adds movement, and the mist it can create adds an almost etherial atmosphere , particularly if it is caught in the suns rays. Have water trickling from pipes from one of the walls, or maybe a reclaimed trough within a traditional courtyard garden design. A more contemporary water feature will be required in a contemporary courtyard garden- such as a water chute from a wall into a small pebble filled rill. The blend of traditional and contemporary can be a really great marriage so long as it designed with sensitivity and real consideration.

Planting

Planting is a really interesting challenge. Climbers are essential if you want to soften the walls. Leave feature walls - or sections of walls - clear of vegetation to enjoy the aesthetics and feel their oppressive nature (yes, this can actually be positive!). Train climbers on horizontal and/or vertical supports to create some interesting geometry on the walls.

If you are going for a large paved area, borders cannot often be deep in a small courtyard so we have to approach this carefully. Narrow borders with a single line of plants can be lovely so long as the planting is uncomplicated. For example, use repetition of a simple palette, or a clipped box hedge. Planters with clipped lollipop specimens (myrtle or bay for example) look beautiful. Pleaches along a wall can be really stunning.

If you prefer to sit in amongst billowing beds and borders then the planting/paving ratio will be the reverse. Smaller, intimate seating areas will be positioned in amongst larger planting. For this more traditional look then you can cram in a myriad of plants suitable for the conditions, but repetition is really important to ensure the space retains a calm and cohesive feel.

Evergreen planting is really practical in a courtyard garden where planting space is limited. 

What Style Should a Courtyard Garden Design take?

It can be any style. So long as you take into account the boundary type (modern render/old brick or flint); vernacular style (historic building or contemporary modern); your own style, then you can achieve anything. The courtyard can be:

• Lush tropical - experiment with half hardy perennials and plants from sub-tropical countries that are more likely to survive in the sheltered conditions (consider the aspect and the sun requirements of the plants).
• Contemporary minimalist - minimal planting, exposed clean walls, simple large paving units and lighting will sustain this feel.
• Traditional cottage - larger borders with smaller paved areas, small unit paving materials, climbers over the walls, arches, lots of perennials with some evergreen structure and reclaimed features/antique furniture can gain you a classic traditional cottage courtyard garden. 
• Modern garden married with historic backbone - use contemporary furniture in a large open space, repeat planting, clipped evergreens, while highlighting traditional walls accented with some carefully chosen eclectic garden sculpture to achieve a wonderful marriage of modern and old.

If you have a courtyard garden and are would be interested in commissioning a garden design, then please get in touch and discuss your project with us.