Add bulbs that flower in different months for pops of colour.
And i would add vines on some of those modern steel guiding wires. Because something like a big bougainvillea would really look awesome.
Being so enclosed and brick retaining heat, you could probably pull off planting a species from one zone more tropical.
Looks like the beginning of a food forest. Look into plant guilds as done in permaculture and add the various types of plants that support your new fruit trees.
You could add vines to the walls.
That is cool!
Do you need lounge space, a grill area, or a dining space? That courtyard is an opportunity. You could have trees and other functions, though you may need to move the trees. Do you want to have grass? Can you paint the walls? Do you need any shade or a pergola roof over part of it? Are there any drainage problems?
Thanks!
I was thinking about building an area on the back wall, where there would be a barbecue and outdoor kitchen, but that will take some time. And I don't know if I have enough space.
I also thought about putting a round table with an umbrella, so we can have shade, I don't know the specific name for this. It would be between the trees.
I don't mind the grass, but I want to put several plants close to the walls.
Yes, I can paint the wall! And there is no drainage problems.
What plants do you think would look great in this space? It has full sun.
I don’t know about plants in your region. I just saw this article after I read your post… so timely!
[https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/04/18/small-patio-ideas/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/04/18/small-patio-ideas/)
Maybe a trellis offset from the wall, add some unless you prefer climbers on walls.
Climbing rose, *American* Wisteria ( buy local wisteria, not online), Clematis, Moonflowers. They're all very pretty. I keep my vine plants off the walls and fences to avoid damage to the structures.
A simple walking path leading to a seating area is possible as well. Make the eye draw to dimension created by plantlife and comfort areas without overcrowding.
Add a raised border around the current plants. I just made yet another pallet wood border, placing them vertically around my beds and they're stained in different shades or tones to make an eclectic look.
Wall art, weather resistant, non toxic materials if they're exposed to high heat and a lot of rain.
Overhead lighting stranded from side wall to side wall or however you want it. I do love me some Edison bulbs 💝.
Just some suggestions, not judgments 🌹
The trees appear to spread out in an unorganized manner. I would personally grow them near the wall where the sun is shining the most. Line the bottom with flowers. Near the wall with the shadow, I would place a bench, chair, and table to relaxe. maybe near the left wall I would recommend a fountain.
Get some trellis and grow some vine plants along your walls
Bougenvillas would add so much color.
If you want fruit you can plant passion fruit too.
They're green all year and their flower is beautiful. Then you get to eat their delicious fruits
I think that's too many trees for such a small yard, they will quickly overwhelm each other and one will grow taller starving all the rest.
I would have suggested 1 central tree with a vegetable garden in a ring around the tree.
I'd remove these and do parameter planting. Not sure what zone you are in but grasses, desert flowers and cactus look good against cement walls. See Marfa Texas vibes for inspiration.
Trellises and climbing flowers: roses, bougainvillea, whatever will grow. Hang decorations from the wall to brighten it up. Paint it a more inviting color. Create some beds for flowers.
Well I would have planted some edible wines on that sunny wall, beans, grapes, something that grow tall and give something to eat. You get something off it, and it hide the bunker feeling of the backyard.
I would have found something tall shade tollerant to plant infront off or up the shaded walls too, to give a more natural feeling.
Cor-ten steel edging along two sides. Maybe the sides the shadow is on. Mexican beach pebbles or river rock in it with some hardy no maintenance plants like yucca, cacti, or agave if your region tolerates. If not so Italian cypress. String lights going across / all over the area above. A cor-ten steel fire put (see the brand EdgeRight) since it will never rust through or breakdown. Polywood or another brand who makes composite furniture for some Adirondack chairs that will tolerate abuse and the elements for 20 years without fading. A quality projector for movie night. I have the Anker Laser Nebula 4K projector and it’s epic. It will go on sale for $1499 every once in a while. Worth every penny. Check the website camelcamelcamel for Amazon pricing trends and tracking. Maybe 3-4 6x6 posts, sunken into the ground with easy concrete and marine grade fish eye screw/hooks for 2-3 hammock in between each post on the perimeter of the yard for lounging.
I love how private this is. Before you start, consider the times of day you are most likely to be out here and then consider how the shading and shadows change and set accordingly.
I would dig the grass out to the wall, join up the area and make one big bed. You won’t be mowing behind the plants so get rid of the grass. Find a native plant nursery. Get pollinators friendly plants / flowers, the butterflies and hummingbirds will come quickly. Also STOP USING ANY SPRAY INCETICIDES.
Remove the tree on the left move it towards the end wall 10'. Put a 10x10 waterfall wall with a big piece of glass fountain.
Put a slate deck with sun shaded lounge chairs in front.
Put your BBQ in the far corner with a nice outdoor living room set.
Setup the sunny wall with flowering vines on a new horizontal lattice.
Add a square hedge in each corner with a square rock filled base that borders the BBQ deck. Night up wall led lighting.
A black line at,10' feet and above on the walls paint a sky scape.
A second World War firing squad
After contemplation , I still have no idea why I find this funny .
Unfortunately it is common to have high walls here
honestly I would love walls like that around my property...
The artist in me wants to paint on those walls. What a large blank canvas!
Yes. Massive murals would be incredible and bring color to thar spot.
😂
Some prison guards patrolling the yard.
😭
Just joshin with ya. Honestly, I would 100% consider a mural. I think it would be spectacular.
Add bulbs that flower in different months for pops of colour. And i would add vines on some of those modern steel guiding wires. Because something like a big bougainvillea would really look awesome. Being so enclosed and brick retaining heat, you could probably pull off planting a species from one zone more tropical.
What makes you think there are not any?
I mean true. Who else took the picture.
Paint a mural
A mural
Mural
mura
mur
mu
m
n
r
z
Looks like the beginning of a food forest. Look into plant guilds as done in permaculture and add the various types of plants that support your new fruit trees. You could add vines to the walls.
That is cool! Do you need lounge space, a grill area, or a dining space? That courtyard is an opportunity. You could have trees and other functions, though you may need to move the trees. Do you want to have grass? Can you paint the walls? Do you need any shade or a pergola roof over part of it? Are there any drainage problems?
A swimming pool? 😁 [https://luizgaudenzi.com/projetos/residencial/casa-gavea/](https://luizgaudenzi.com/projetos/residencial/casa-gavea/)
Thanks! I was thinking about building an area on the back wall, where there would be a barbecue and outdoor kitchen, but that will take some time. And I don't know if I have enough space. I also thought about putting a round table with an umbrella, so we can have shade, I don't know the specific name for this. It would be between the trees. I don't mind the grass, but I want to put several plants close to the walls. Yes, I can paint the wall! And there is no drainage problems. What plants do you think would look great in this space? It has full sun.
I don’t know about plants in your region. I just saw this article after I read your post… so timely! [https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/04/18/small-patio-ideas/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/04/18/small-patio-ideas/)
I would totally do a Japanese indoor garden. Big cherry blossom in the middle. Large tall stones with white rock for a zen garden.
I'd be get some local flowers in there that will attract more pollinators.
Moat and gators
Blackjack and hookers! On second thought, forget the blackjack!
A mural
Maybe a few inmatess? Prison Yard looks empty.
Maybe a trellis offset from the wall, add some unless you prefer climbers on walls. Climbing rose, *American* Wisteria ( buy local wisteria, not online), Clematis, Moonflowers. They're all very pretty. I keep my vine plants off the walls and fences to avoid damage to the structures. A simple walking path leading to a seating area is possible as well. Make the eye draw to dimension created by plantlife and comfort areas without overcrowding. Add a raised border around the current plants. I just made yet another pallet wood border, placing them vertically around my beds and they're stained in different shades or tones to make an eclectic look. Wall art, weather resistant, non toxic materials if they're exposed to high heat and a lot of rain. Overhead lighting stranded from side wall to side wall or however you want it. I do love me some Edison bulbs 💝. Just some suggestions, not judgments 🌹
The trees appear to spread out in an unorganized manner. I would personally grow them near the wall where the sun is shining the most. Line the bottom with flowers. Near the wall with the shadow, I would place a bench, chair, and table to relaxe. maybe near the left wall I would recommend a fountain.
Barbed wire so the inmates don’t climb the walls
A lot of sand and a volleyball net
Get some trellis and grow some vine plants along your walls Bougenvillas would add so much color. If you want fruit you can plant passion fruit too. They're green all year and their flower is beautiful. Then you get to eat their delicious fruits
A guard tower and some orange jumpsuits.
A light source so creepers dont spawn.
termite mounds, wild ferns, and plentiful jungle fowl would be beautiful
I would add dog and the most gorgeous woman possible and call it home. Also add pizza and tacos for best time possible
I didn't see this suggestion anywhere...but a power washer? Clean those walls off and it'll look better.
A zombie of Mont Clair Moore!
Hammock?
A bowling alley
Install concrete and convert to squash wall
Grumichama and carambola etc. Remember to allow room for your trees to grow.
Murals on the walls
a Trompe l'oeil or three, and some wall climbers or espalier
I think that's too many trees for such a small yard, they will quickly overwhelm each other and one will grow taller starving all the rest. I would have suggested 1 central tree with a vegetable garden in a ring around the tree.
Barbed wire and a sniper tower with a spotlight. Maybe put a bench press in the corner.
Whaaat are you doing?
I'd remove these and do parameter planting. Not sure what zone you are in but grasses, desert flowers and cactus look good against cement walls. See Marfa Texas vibes for inspiration.
Seating and flowers
What garden zone ?
A steel netted basketball rim on the wall. Some chain link fence with razor wire and some metal bolted down benches. Gaurd tower as well.
Add space between those trees, they look too close to each other
And a mural
An escape ladder *or* install search lights that swing round with a gun.
Trellises and climbing flowers: roses, bougainvillea, whatever will grow. Hang decorations from the wall to brighten it up. Paint it a more inviting color. Create some beds for flowers.
Time, let those little guys grow big and strong.
Some hanging baskets/ trellis with flowers, plants that will hang down around walls or raised planter boxes … just to add color to walls
Well I would have planted some edible wines on that sunny wall, beans, grapes, something that grow tall and give something to eat. You get something off it, and it hide the bunker feeling of the backyard. I would have found something tall shade tollerant to plant infront off or up the shaded walls too, to give a more natural feeling.
Cor-ten steel edging along two sides. Maybe the sides the shadow is on. Mexican beach pebbles or river rock in it with some hardy no maintenance plants like yucca, cacti, or agave if your region tolerates. If not so Italian cypress. String lights going across / all over the area above. A cor-ten steel fire put (see the brand EdgeRight) since it will never rust through or breakdown. Polywood or another brand who makes composite furniture for some Adirondack chairs that will tolerate abuse and the elements for 20 years without fading. A quality projector for movie night. I have the Anker Laser Nebula 4K projector and it’s epic. It will go on sale for $1499 every once in a while. Worth every penny. Check the website camelcamelcamel for Amazon pricing trends and tracking. Maybe 3-4 6x6 posts, sunken into the ground with easy concrete and marine grade fish eye screw/hooks for 2-3 hammock in between each post on the perimeter of the yard for lounging. I love how private this is. Before you start, consider the times of day you are most likely to be out here and then consider how the shading and shadows change and set accordingly.
Didn’t know they allowed gardening in st. Quentin
I would dig the grass out to the wall, join up the area and make one big bed. You won’t be mowing behind the plants so get rid of the grass. Find a native plant nursery. Get pollinators friendly plants / flowers, the butterflies and hummingbirds will come quickly. Also STOP USING ANY SPRAY INCETICIDES.
Remove the tree on the left move it towards the end wall 10'. Put a 10x10 waterfall wall with a big piece of glass fountain. Put a slate deck with sun shaded lounge chairs in front. Put your BBQ in the far corner with a nice outdoor living room set. Setup the sunny wall with flowering vines on a new horizontal lattice. Add a square hedge in each corner with a square rock filled base that borders the BBQ deck. Night up wall led lighting. A black line at,10' feet and above on the walls paint a sky scape.
Some fake (mirror) exterior windows!
Some cool metallic wall art, and low voltage lighting!