Courtyard Garden Designs

Courtyard gardens are quintessentially English. Quaint, refined, elegant – they can brighten and add classic style to any garden, no matter what shape or size it may be. In this blog, we explore the charms of courtyard gardens and how you can recreate this beautiful style in your own outdoor living space.

Romantic Roses and Classic Courtyard Style

Part of the enchantment of courtyard gardens is their size and versatility. Normally small or narrow, they come in all shapes and can be nestled between two buildings, in the form of a yard or even a front garden.

Classic additions to courtyard gardens include topiary, box hedges (typical of Elizabethan Knot Gardens), and privet – but they can also incorporate more contemporary elements too.

Paving or even decking can be used to create a small seating area, comprising of one or two chairs and a table depending on the size of the space you have to work with. The decking area seen here provided extra space, whilst the seating area was situated between the greenery.

Water features and ponds are also fantastic additions to restore relaxation and calm (especially in central locations), whilst strategically placed mirrors create the illusion of greater space.

At night a courtyard garden can really come to life – especially with the help of solar or electric mood lighting. The choice of features depends on your preference – for example, classic refined style and contemporary chic differ from a charming twee cottage garden feel.

Usually, courtyard gardens have hard surfaces beneath them which don’t lend themselves to planting. Pots, planters, and troughs however provide planting space in place of borders, whilst raised beds are also an option. Trees can even be planted in large pots.

Color all year round is possible with bulbs and seasonal bedding plants placed in pots or large beds. Standard roses and blossoms also work well – especially in minimal schemes incorporating box and paving.

Aromatic Additions

Herbs are a wonderful addition to a courtyard garden – as their earthy scent can fill a smaller space and provide fresh seasonings too. Chamomile, Mint, and Lemon Balm work well in pots or troughs, whilst Lavender and Rosemary can also be shaped to form shapes or to line pathways and raised borders.

Pretty yet Practical

Courtyard gardens lend themselves to practical usage, despite their visual appeal. In years gone by kitchen gardens were almost always filled with herbs, fruits, and vegetables for use in the kitchen.

In modern gardens, this is still possible – via raised vegetable beds and cloches. You can also train fruit trees to grow up the walls in direct sunlight – a practice that was popular in Victorian times.

Bay trees are a classic courtyard addition – and even olive trees, citrus fruits, and vines can thrive in a sheltered, sunny spot – although they need to be taken in during colder winter months.

Often floral blooms can attract bees and butterflies – try heavenly scented Stocks and Honeysuckle to scale a trellis, nearby walls, or to climb your pergola. Marigolds are colorful and edible – so they’re the perfect addition to a raised vegetable patch or border.

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