Top 5 Courtyard Landscaping Ideas.

The following article lists the most popular 5 courtyard landscaping elements Visual Landscape Gardening are asked to complete for small courtyard areas across Adelaide suburbs.

Feature Walls
Courtyard feature walls can be a focal point of interest in small spaces where a view is not possible, provide privacy, or add colour to what would be otherwise a plain fence.
Courtyard Landscaping Idea 1 – Vertical Garden Feature Walls, A Sensory Delight
Paving
Paving courtyard areas is a good low maintenance alternative to laying lawn, especially natural turfs. Choose light coloured pavers to reduce the heat they absorb and give off. Large format pavers will give a small area a feeling of space and can be laid using a variety of different paving patterns, depending on the look you’re after.
Concrete pavers are available with different textures and colours, offer a cheaper paving alternative, are easy to clean and are ideal for heavy-duty use.
Natural stone pavers made from limestone, sandstone, bluestone, granite or slate are available in a variety of sizes and geometric shapes, but can be expensive if you’re courtyard landscaping on a tight budget.
Courtyard Landscaping Idea 2 – Large Format Concrete Pavers
Retaining Walls
Raised garden beds made from concrete blocks with matching capping are often used in courtyard gardens to create a decorative display of plants, starting at a specific height.
Courtyard Landscaping Idea 3 – Concrete Block Retaining Walls To Garden Beds
Storm water
When water enters your courtyard, you’ll want to be comforted knowing that it will not cause any damage. To stop salt damp, pavers should not exceed the height of your home’s damp course. Grates may need to be installed at low points, directing water into your storm water system. ‘Agricultural-pipe’ may also be required behind raised garden bed walls to direct water to storm water pipes.
Courtyard Landscaping Idea 4 – Storm Water Consideration, Not Sexy, But Often Essential
Water Features
Water features including fountains, ponds and even waterfalls can create a tranquil atmosphere to the smallest courtyard. Pots, urns and barrels can provide containers for the budget conscious, while fibre glassing walls or concreting ponds can provide more elaborate water features. Add a pump, low voltage garden lighting, maybe some fish or plants and you’re all set.
Courtyard Landscaping Idea 5 – Water Features & Ponds

Courtyard Landscaping Tips:

Paving provides a low maintenance area for courtyards and quality pavers are durable, requiring a sweep with a stiff broom to keep them free of dirt and leaves. However, if you will be setting up a table for eating or a BBQ, it is recommended that a quality sealer be applied to your pavers; regardless of the material they are made from and resealed periodically to help prevent staining.

When looking at installing a retaining wall that will have earth and plants behind it, consider installing a drip irrigation system. Agricultural pipe behind the wall, grates and connection to storm water may be required to avoid flooding your courtyard.

Even if you’re landscaping on a budget, there are plenty of options available if you want to incorporate a water feature. Remember that pumps and lighting require power. Cables may need to be buried in trenches before any paving commences.

These landscaping tips also highlight the importance of obtaining quotes from licensed landscapers that have the knowledge and experience to handle all aspects of your project, professionally, such as those from Visual Landscape Gardening.