For their historic home in the enclave of Clifton in Bristol, UK, an energetic couple wanted an informal landscape where their grandchildren and dogs could romp with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability. They called on landscape architecture firm Artisan Landscapes to design a dream garden, but the firm recognized that the grand Georgian-style home imposed a degree of formality on its landscape that couldn’t be ignored. As a compromise, they kept the classic formal courtyard layout and overlaid “soft, naturalistic meadow planting” to fulfill the clients’ desires for an environmentally friendly landscape that remains sensitive to the location.
Join us for a tour.
Photography courtesy of Artisan Landscapes.
The back garden, they say, is a more intimate space, “although the grandchildren love whirling about the paths.”
Before
After
See Landscaping 101: Pleached Trees for tips to grow and train hornbeams and crabapple trees.
Laying out a new garden or updating a hardscape element in an existing landscape? Start with our curated guides to Garden Design 101, including Decks & Patios and Fences & Gates. More inspiring courtyards:
- Water’s Edge: A Saltwater Courtyard Garden on Bainbridge Island
- Saigon Story: Crazy Quilt Tile in a Courtyard Garden
- The Cult of the Courtyard: 10 Backyard Ideas for Small Spaces
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation