Calm. Reflective. Abundant.

Tucked within a larger garden, this shady courtyard offered the opportunity to create a moment of cool and calm. Hidden behind the house and accessed through a brick archway, it sits beneath a towering yew hedge, giving the space a wonderfully secluded, almost secret feel. Two large picture windows either side of the staircase overlook the courtyard, making the view from above a key consideration in the design. The planting was conceived as a living tapestry, with layers of foliage and shifting colour creating a carpet-like effect throughout the seasons. A strong evergreen framework provides year-round structure and continuity, while spring bulbs and a carefully curated mix of perennials bring seasonal colour and interest. Winter hellebores give way to spring euphorbias, followed by geraniums and astrantia as the year progresses. Finally, Japanese anemones take centre stage, carrying the display through autumn. The result is a courtyard that offers a changing perspective from the house throughout the year, with evergreen structure underpinning the seasonal display.