Courtyard garden ideas

Enclosed, sheltered and usually shaded. A courtyard is a microclimate, which makes some difficult plants easy and some easy plants impossible.

AI-generated concept image

Light: Shade
Water: Moderate
Upkeep: Low
Colour: Green-focused
Planting survives: −12 °C / 10 °F

Getting it right

Use the walls — they are most of the surface area you have. Wall shrubs and climbers on wires give you volume without costing floor space, and pale render or limewash lifts the light noticeably in a dark courtyard. Watch the rain shadow: soil within about 500 mm of a wall stays dry even through a wet week, so plant further out or irrigate. The shelter is a genuine bonus, and plants a full zone tenderer than your area usually come through a courtyard winter.

Plants that work

Botanical names are given first so you can order the right plant anywhere. Heights are for mature plants in open ground.
Plant	Type	Light	Water	Height	Hardy to
Japanese araliaFatsia japonica	Shrub · Evergreen	Shade	Moderate	1.5–3 m	−12 °C / 10 °F
Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides	Climber · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	3–6 m	−12 °C / 10 °F
Japanese mapleAcer palmatum	Tree · Deciduous	Partial shade	Moderate	2–6 m	−20 °C / −4 °F
Umbrella bambooFargesia murielae	Grass · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	2.5–4 m	−25 °C / −13 °F
Common boxBuxus sempervirens	Shrub · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	0.3–3 m	−20 °C / −4 °F
Japanese forest grassHakonechloa macra	Grass · Deciduous	Partial shade	Moderate	35–50 cm	−25 °C / −13 °F
HostaHosta (hybrids)	Perennial · Deciduous	Shade	Moderate	30–80 cm	−35 °C / −31 °F
Lenten roseHelleborus × hybridus	Perennial · Semi-evergreen	Shade	Moderate	40–50 cm	−25 °C / −13 °F
Japanese camelliaCamellia japonica	Shrub · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	1.5–4 m	−15 °C / 5 °F
Mondo grassOphiopogon japonicus	Groundcover · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	15–25 cm	−15 °C / 5 °F
Soft shield fernPolystichum setiferum	Fern · Evergreen	Shade	Moderate	60–90 cm	−20 °C / −4 °F
FigFicus carica	Edible · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	2–4 m	−12 °C / 10 °F