PLANT IT OUT!

You can indulge almost all of your plant passions in a courtyard space – just on a smaller scale. Plan your landscape in layers, starting perhaps with a small feature tree (these look great in large tubs too), then filling in with shrubs, perennials, groundcovers and climbing plants for greening the vertical surfaces. Pots and tubs are essential, adding highlights to the scene while also softening the effects of the hard paving. They also allow you to refresh the look from season to season by swapping over your pot subjects.

Before you buy any plants, work out the ratio of sun and shade that each side of the courtyard receives and choose your species accordingly. That way, you’ll avoid wasting time and money on plants that won’t thrive in their chosen spot.