The Courtyard in Summer

It seems as if I have written all of the blog posts about our courtyard in the spring.  The annuals were always still in their infancy, and the evergreens were just starting to wake up from their winter dormancy.  This past week-end when the lighting was just right, I thought it might be fun to take some photos and give you a peek at the courtyard in summer.  This is the time of the year when we really use it, and it has become an extention of our home.  The only unfortunate part of our courtyard that can never be changed is the fact that it faces the west and will always get the hot afternoon sun.  It always feels best in the morning hours during these hot summer months.

 

The teak Lutyen bench that we wrote about here is aging nicely, and the pillows that I made are still fresh and plump.

 

 

 

I like to be monochromatic when it comes to the annuals that I plant, and this year I went with white begonias.

 

 

 

The herbs are growing, and I use them everyday.  I think next spring I will remove  a few of the boxwoods that border the herb garden so that the herbs can get more light.  To learn about a basic herb garden,  you can read this post I wrote a few years ago.

 

 

I didn’t do any trimming this past spring.  Even though this is a somewhat formal setting, I thought it might be nice to have a look that isn’t so groomed.  Noted landscape architect

Jon Carloftis (see his mother’s garden here and here) designed this courtyard for the previous owner, and he likes an over-planted, under-trimmed look.  Sadly, the only things that remain from Jon’s design are the three service berry trees that provide the only shade the courtyard has.

 

One of my favorite things about the courtyard is hearing the sound of water in this birdbath.

 

 

The espaliered pyracantha is loaded with berries that will become a wonderful orange in the fall.

 

I’m always amazed how often I use this baker’s rack as a potting bench and as a bar.

 

 

 

 

To see what it looked like before, go here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This setting is just so peaceful to me.  It’s small and compact but packed with lush greenery and soothing sounds.  There’s an eating area that I didn’t even get to today, but if it isn’t too hot or too cold, we have our dinner there as often as possible.

 

Our neighbors also have inviting courtyards.  Visit one of them here.

 

Have y’all been spending much time outside this summer.  I know that when the heat and humidity are both sky high, it’s tough to do, but hopefully you are getting some fresh air every day.  See you tomorrow!

 

Take care.