Modern Courtyard Transformation Ideas.

Residents from Adelaide’s suburb of Glenunga wanted to transform their existing courtyard entrance, outdoor paved areas and garden beds made of timber to a modern, low maintenance design.

Four landscape design elements from the range of landscaping services provided by Visual Landscape Gardening were decided upon to complete this courtyard landscaping project.

1. Retaining Wall

   The existing retaining wall was made from timber sleepers that had become infested with white ants, so had to be completely removed.

   In its place, Boral “Heathstone” concrete blocks in charcoal with matching bullnose capping were used to erect a new concrete block retaining wall. These ‘split face’ concrete blocks are well suited to curved retaining walls, as well as for building up straight steps.





2. Paving

   The existing paving was uneven and consisted of different types of pavers. All pavers were removed, and the area was excavated to create the required levels, before laying and compacting quarry rubble and quarry sand, ready for the new pavers to be laid.

   Boral 300mm x 300mm “Handipave” pavers in ‘Charcoal’ were chosen to match in with the retaining wall, with a border of Boral 240mm x 120mm “Classicpave” pavers in ‘Heritage Red’.
   Pave-Lok was used to fill the joints between the pavers, helping to retard weed growth and does not wash away in wet conditions.





3. Planting & Irrigation Of Raised Garden Bed

   All the existing plants, plus 10 tonne of soil was removed from the existing garden beds to make way for new plants and a good quality organic loam.

   Pittosporum Silver Sheen was selected to be planted along the side boundary brush fence because of its excellent screening properties when mature. Lomandra Tanika; a drought tolerant, low maintenance landscape plant was planted in front of the Pittosporums.

   An automatic drip irrigation system was installed to water all plants in the raised garden bed, ensuring they would get the right amount of water all year round; particularly while establishing themselves.

   Finally, no good courtyard landscaping transformation would be complete without a good quality organic mulch laid on top of the loam to provide additional nutrients and reduce surface evaporation.





4. Fencing

   To provide privacy, a powder coated aluminium slat fence was erected along the front boundary, complete with front access gate and letter box.
   The fencing was secured and levelled by placing the fence posts into a tiered concrete strip footing.