BEFORE
AFTER
This courtyard was quite inexpensive and a great example of how you can RECYLE your existing landscape materials!
Most of the REmodel revolved around REmoving overly mature materials (like the vines on the wall), plants that were struggling, and the concrete mow strip. Then, I simplified the plant palette by REorganizing like-plants together and transplanting healthy speciments. Iused the bluging Ficus tree roots to guide the mounded planting area. I REused their flagstone by cutting it and REpositioning it. We placed them in a mortor bed for stability. And REplaced their boulders.
The minor additions to the courtyard were the small scale Feijoa tree which is to be pruned in a such a manner that it evokes a "bonsai' style small tree for the space. The Golden Euonymous was inserted for it's year rould yellow foliage brilliance and thick texture. And white bacopa was place atop the mound until the mondo grass fills in... it adds an airy and light touch while the white brighten up the shady garden. Along with cobble as the edge treatment for the planting area, I raked their gravel in a wave-pattern to give the space a sense of dynamic movement.
I left their duck figurines "swimming in the gravel" for now, but I am searching for a stone vessel or japanese style lantern/sculpture of some kind. It needs to suit their personal taste and will likely be the most expensive part of the garden.
