Creating a courtyard
The brief was to add height, colour and shelter as well as productive areas and perennial planting that would work from spring to late autumn.
The Wildroof Landscapes team has transformed a gravel parking area into a colourful courtyard garden. Here’s how.
This property, a barn conversion near Penrith, had inherited the yard of the original farm buildings while the neighbouring property had the lawns, mature trees and flower beds.
“The resulting south-facing yard had a couple of corner beds and a large gravel parking area but few places to sit, no garden views from the house and very limited planting,” says Josh Roberts of Wildroof. “The client worked with Liz Newport of Buzy Lizzie Garden Design on a brief to add height, colour and shelter as well as productive areas and perennial planting that would work from spring to late autumn. All this while keeping some parking and working with thin soil that had cobbles and limestone bedrock not too far beneath it.”
The solution came in the form of 15 planters of various dimensions and shapes. Made from steel by Kirkby Lonsdale-based Mortimer's Fabrications, each one was galvanized, in keeping with the barn’s farming heritage. Some were quite shallow and included curves, like the herb garden and the raised beds either side of the arbour, while others were taller to give sufficient soil depth for trees.
“The planters looked enormous when they arrived from Mortimer’s,” says Josh’s colleague, Steve Impey, “but they’re slightly set into the ground, disguising their depth, and the overall arrangement has worked really well.”
The courtyard approach also involves a series of upright posts and horizontal wires on two sides. Climbers and two espaliered apple trees growing on these structures will gradually create height, privacy and shelter.
“The wooden structures, including the pergola, arbour and cold frame (those latter two built by Rob Holden of Eden Woodwork), were all stained a dark grey,” says Steve, “This gives a good contrast with the planting, compliments the paving (Saga Black Sandstone supplied by Hamilton's Outdoor Living in Penrith) and works well with the galvanized planters.”
Although the planters and wooden structures were new, the original yard’s gravel was shifted, supplemented and re-used and the feature circular bed was built from reclaimed limestone and sandstone.
Work on the garden landscaping began in February and was completed in late March with planting into April as the mature perennials became available.
“It was a good winter project for us,” says Josh. “Access to the site was easy for vehicles and equipment, there was very little mud to deal with and members of our team could be working on different aspects of the project depending on the weather. That certainly helped us keep to schedule and also minimised disruption for the client.”
And the client’s verdict? “We’re thrilled. We have colourful garden views from the house now as well as different seating areas and opportunities to grow food. Liz and the Wildroof Landscapes team really thought about the small details that would make a big difference. We love it.”
