courtyard capers
Better Homes & Gardens Australia|November 2021
GIVE YOUR DATED OUTDOOR SPACE A SIMPLE SPRUCE UP
ADAM DOVILE
courtyard capers

A shady courtyard is the perfect place to while away a lazy summer arvo, but if yours is looking a bit worse for wear, a few quick updates can give it a new lease on life – or several lives. It could be a summer study, a secret nook and a cool entertainment area, all with just a coat of paint, a simple DIY console table and fresh greenery. Voila!

BEFORE

1 THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE

Bring your courtyard to life by removing small sections of paving to make room for garden beds filled with a range of shade-tolerant plants. A simple timber console table with frame against the wall opens up the space to make it appear larger.


2 light shirkers

Shady areas can be challenging for gardens, but you can always rely on ferns (Blechnum sp) and the big ‘tractor seat leaves of ligularia.

3 elegant restraint

Create a garden nook which doubles as a casual outdoor dining table or home office in the fresh air.

4 get this shiner

Ligularia’s big, stunning leaves are reason enough to plant it. But in summer it also surprises with daisy-like flowers on tall spikes.

5 succulent success

Crassula, or jade plant, is so reliable. You can set and forget it, then in late winter the leaves are smothered with tiny white flowers.

6 spread the love

Renga lily (Arthropodium sp) is a real space filler with its spreading leaves, but you’ll love it more when its dainty flower spikes pop up in summer.

This story is from the November 2021 edition of Better Homes & Gardens Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2021 edition of Better Homes & Gardens Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

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