|
Courtyards are probably one of the trickiest spaces to design. They not only require careful planning, they also usually need space enhancing features because they are either to narrow or too wide. Sometimes, they are surrounded by tall buildings or high walls that make them dark and shady and even make it difficult for plants to grow. Putting sitting areas in a courtyard garden design may even pose a problem because of the narrowness and darkness of the space. Sometimes, the sun directly hits the courtyard that it becomes too hot for growing plants or putting sitting areas. There are a lot of problems in courtyard garden design that needs to be solved first before going through the design process.
So, how do you solve space problems? The first thing you do is to stick to a single theme in your courtyard garden design. A single idea that is excellently executed can make a courtyard garden design. Once a theme is decided, look into the space from different perspectives. If you look out from a bedroom window, what do you see first? When you’re outside your door, which part of the garden dominates your view? Are there eyesores that you want to conceal? Which part receives the most sunlight and which part becomes shady in certain hours of the day? Once these questions are answered, you can continue planning your courtyard garden design. If your space is too narrow, emphasize the width to stretch it visually. If it’s shallow, stressing the length can do the trick. Do not use patterned pavers that will just make the space busy. Use monochrome or plain pavers, instead. A cheaper trick is to use mirrors in your courtyard garden design plan. Since they reflect light, they can enhance the spaciousness of the area.
Now, you can move on to creating a focal point of your courtyard garden design concept. Use different elements like trees, sculptures, water features, or arbors. If you plan to emphasize a wall in your courtyard garden design, you can create a mural or install a trellis to give the illusion of continuity and length.
Do not cramp small potted flora into the space. Use one or two large plants or trees that can be focal points and that can anchor the whole courtyard garden design scheme. Excellent examples are the Japanese maple, the silk tree, the cabbage tree, or the bamboo. The rugosa rose and the Clivia are also great flowering plants for a courtyard. Just remember to think of the conditions under which these plants thrive.
Courtyard garden design presents a great opportunity for home owners to start getting resourceful and creative. The trick is in making the space work for you, lengthening it, and placing a single focal point that can create the effect you’re going for. This way, a courtyard can evoke a feeling of rest, relaxation, or even liveliness.
|
Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about gardening for beginners and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
Didn't really find what you were looking for?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
![[Valid RSS feed]](images/rss.gif "Subscribe to our XML Feed for RSS")
(Read 500+ times)
