This beautiful and practical new book is packed with creative ideas for
making a successful outside courtyard space. The courtyard is typically
an open area surrounded by walls or buildings, and can range from a tiny
backyard, an urban terrace or patio area with small-scale gardening, to
a more expansively sized area of garden with defined borders. An
introductory section gives advice on assessing a site, freshening up
existing tired elements and basic planting techniques. Successive
chapters on Traditional Lines, Mediterranean Moods, Outdoor Rooms,
Productive Spaces, Contemplative Retreats and Contemporary Spaces each
look at flooring, walls and screens, plants and containers, ornament and
water features, and lighting. Inspirational examples of garden locations
are presented, alongside step-by-step methods to explain some of the
techniques and features shown. Enclosed outside spaces have tremendous
design potential, but require a disciplined approach so that the
elements used link fluidly to each other. Each chapter includes a case
study with a detailed colour plan explaining the dynamics of the
different designed spaces, and describing how specific elements were
achieved, such as building a slate path or producing a wall stencil. The
structure of the book is highly adaptable so that you can use the
practical design ideas within the named style, or mix and match, adapt
and develop them to give a personal interpretation. The plant directory
gives a comprehensive listing of planting options, each entry complete
with propagation, growth patterns, and ideal conditions. The final
section on maintenance shows how to keep your courtyard looking its
best, including deadheading, watering techniques and repainting fencing
and trellis.Over 800 stunning photographs and helpful illustrated garden
plans and diagrams make this beautiful book both an inspired armchair
read and a practical how-to manual. If you have a space to design from
scratch or one that needs an overhaul, here are all the ideas and tools
you need in order to transform and give new character to your
courtyard.How to plan, design and plant up beautiful and
easy-to-maintain garden courtyards, walled spaces, patios, terraces and
enclosed backyardsA sourcebook of classic and modern designs and
decorative ideas to suit outdoor spaces of every kind of shape and
sizeHow to create a courtyard in your favourite style or to suit a
specific purpose - a traditional patio, a Mediterranean-style terrace,
an outdoor living and dining area, a low-maintenance space, a productive
area for growing fruit and vegetables, or one designed around
ultra-modern materials Includes step-by-step advice on all the
practicalities, from planning a suitable layout and preparing the site
to choosing the plants and planting them up Over 842 gorgeous colour
images, including garden plans and colour diagrams, step-by-step
techniques, and inspirational pictures of terraces, patios and courtyard
gardens from around the world
