Small Space, Big Solutions: Courtyard Garden

Small Space, Big Solutions: Courtyard Garden

In many urban areas small courtyards, such as this one in London, are tucked behind rowhouses and apartment buildings. What these petite playgrounds have in spades is the charm of an easily accessible garden. It buffers city noise, and adds a bit of country living in the city. The downside, of course, is a limited footprint. Designer Karen Rogers solved this problem by going up rather than outward. She constructed 4 ft. deep raised beds that allow for lots of layers. Beginning with a few trees that will be kept to scale with pruning. She then added a range of flowering shrubs, perennials, and vines so that something is always happening. Because you can’t really see the back of the raised bed, there’s the illusion of a larger space. (So many great takeaway–see it all here.)

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The Details: 

Varying shapes and staggered heights (globes, standards, bushy shrubs) help to create structure in these beds. Perennials and vines tucked in (such as heuchera, peonies, clematis) provide the sequence of interest throughout the year.

Takeaways: Lush Layers

  • When you have a tight space, choose plants that do double (even triple) duty. The trees, for example, while they'll require pruning to maintain size, earn their keep by helping to create scale. They use the taller nearby buildings, mute city noise, and draw wildlife such as birds to the garden.
  • Get greater impact in a small space by limiting the variety of plants and repeating them throughout the space. Case in point are the hydrangea and boxwood balls.
  • Color is tricky in a small space because the eye will go there an nowhere else. If you use bold color (which we love), use it as a focal point so it feels intentional.

Get the Look

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2017-02-24 01:22:00
Daphne Bradford
Lovely use of plant materials. So serene and Inviting. Thank you for sharing some excellent plant materials for a small space.
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BJ Boland
Having trouble with 3 year old Tiny Tower Dwarf. Planted from a 24" box into a narrow space. Slow growing first two years and then fast this past year. Tends to look slightly yellow on inside, even after fertilizing in early fall and then just recently. First time with Osmocote and now with Grow Power. Gardener sys it looks as if it might have a small white scale. After 2 weeks of wind and rain, all 9 trees now have floppy branches. 2 have swayed precariously and gardener propped them up with stakes. I would greatly appreciate advice for both their short and long term needs. Local nursery said not to prune. Do I need to wire branches? The 12' trees are in full sun, windy location, good loam to 24" with native sandy/gravelly soil below that. We are on drip watering and find it difficult to know how much water to give over the course of 4 seasons.
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N Burrous
Can I buy Vinca Major ( Periwinkle ) with the large dark-green one-color leaves from you ? Have been trying to source flats of it but so far sill looking to find supplier in IE I love how after they are established you can water infrequently during the summer What would you recommend to co-bed in a small North-facing front yard that goes from shade right in front of the house to full sun at the curb? Interested in getting a SoCal drought tolerant yard established that requires small water use & occasional attention and still looks fabulous! Also wanting use perennials & include some herbs & spices that can be used in the kitchen. Thanks N
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Brenda Sullivan
Learned a great deal from the text of " Court Yard" Thank you.
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Carolina Ortiz
I need plants for a small area with lots of sun
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Thomas
Hello - what tree is to the right of the gate (next to the small Hydrangea)?
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Mishele Rhein
The photo show pink blooms from the coral bells plant and yet it is listed as Green Spice which produces white blooms. I believe this plant is Peppermint Spice.
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Pete
beautiful
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