Courtyard Garden Design Ideas and Tips
28.06.2023 - 19:45
/ treehugger.com
A good courtyard garden design can turn a drab and uninviting space into a magical one that is both beautiful and productive. An enclosed garden might be created from scratch, or driven by necessity when this is the only outside space available. Either way, courtyard gardens can be wonderful when thought and care are put into their design.
Courtyards are generally level spaces completely or partially surrounded by a building or more than one building. The key to creating a good courtyard garden lies in understanding the conditions that the situation brings.
Courtyard gardens have unique conditions when it comes to both sunlight and shade since the sun will often be blocked, at least to a degree, by the surrounding buildings.
Sometimes, the degree of shade cast can become a challenge in smaller city gardens. But often, the shade in courtyard gardens is desirable—reducing the heat in warmer climates and giving respite from the sun.
Courtyard gardens are typically very sheltered, without wind exposure. This can make it possible to grow plants that might not usually thrive in a particular location and climate.
Courtyard gardens can remain cool in summer in warm climates, but can also provide a warmer and more sheltered growing location in cooler climate zones.
Courtyard gardens are a popular feature with new-build properties in some areas, due to the sheltered and/or shaded growing conditions they can provide.
When creating a courtyard garden, however, careful thought must be given to the size and orientation of the space with reference to the path of the sun over the property and the location. And materials use will be important too.
Often, the ideal orientation for a new courtyard garden is to create a space with full sun