Courtyard garden

A courtyard garden designed for entertaining,

with planting to stimulate the senses

Illustration of a design for a courtyard garden featuring timber pergolas, brick paviors, an ornamental pond with 'floating' stepping stones, grape vine and apricot tree

This enclosed courtyard garden was designed for a client renovating a small house in southern Spain. It drew on traditional motifs found in Islamic gardens, conveyed with a light touch and contemporary palette.

The sensory experience of the garden is key to its concept: the sound of a bubbling fountain, grapes hanging from the vine, scented jasmine shading a luxurious seating area. An apricot tree takes centre stage, under-planted with swaying grasses and delicate flowers. Apple and pear trees are trained against the sunniest wall and a dwarf pomegranate is placed in a large pot.

Illustrative elevation of courtyard garden with apricot tree, pergola, decorative brick screen and people enjoying the garden

The materials are kept simple, with long handmade bricks used for the walls and paths, as well as an open-bond screen that allows filtered sun or moonlight to fall across the courtyard. Creamy sandstone paving and oak pergolas finish the warm and earthy palette.

CAD drawing showing a courtyard garden with pond, pergolas and planting

The garden allows its occupants to wander from sun to shade and across a shallow pond using stepping stones that appear to float. Where the paths end, large terracotta urns planted with shrubs form focal points. On one side, planting is brought close to the dining room window to bring the colour and texture of the border right into view.

3d Views from a Sketchup model of a design for a courtyard garden with Hay furniture and pergolas