Courtyard Gardens: Imaginative Ideas for Outdoor Living (Hardcover)

The book features eighteen three-dimensional, full-colour plans inspired by courtyards past and present from a wide range of countries and cultures. The Classical courtyard has an area sheltered from sun and rain for enjoying life in true Roman style. Islamic influences inspire a calm and shady retreat, where the gentle sound of water revitalizes the soul, whereas the 'tame jungle' of a tropical paradise reinvigorates the mind and spirit. Naturally inspired rocks suggest the grace and simplicity of the Japanese aesthetic, while bold colours and strong lines take exciting courtyard design into the future.

Chapters on materials and styles for walls and floors, furniture, features, ornament and effects are lavishly illustrated with glorious photographs. The book is completed with a directory of courtyard plants - the best climbers and wall plants, accent plants, ground cover, and plants for seasonal interest.

Whether starting with a new plot or transforming an existing garden, Courtyard Gardens offers a wealth of ideas and practical solutions for creating small, private havens dedicated to relaxation, entertaining and cooking, as well as gardening.

Dr Toby Musgrave is a garden designer, horticulturist and garden historian, with a passion for applying lessons from the past to today's 'gardens for living'. His television work includes designs for Better Gardens and presenting Lost Gardens with Monty Don. Dr Musgrave's previous books include The Plant Hunters.

Synopsis
This work provides ingenious solutions for creating small, secluded gardens for outdoor living. Giving blueprints for designing, building and decorating a courtyard including barbecues, water features and decking, it shows how to bring a courtyard alive with detailed planting blueprints. It is written by an eminent and best selling author. "Courtyard Gardens" is packed with imaginative ideas for creating small, secluded gardens for outdoor living. Whether you are starting with a new plot or transforming an existing garden into a private haven, this books offers a wealth of design and planting solutions. This book features 18 three dimensional plans for classic garden styles that can be adopted for all different sizes and uses, from the classical garden through renaissance courtyards and Mediterranean styles to classical Japanese gardens. The book contains hundreds of ideas for wall. Screens, floors, water features and lighting as well as a directory do plants giving guidance on the best type of plants for different types of garden.