A taste of the tropics

The owner of this urban terrace house wanted the small backyard to be a mini-retreat that could be used as additional living space. By removing the lawn and extending the courtyard area slightly, space was created for a dining table and a sun-lounger with space to move around. A small utility area doubles as space for a productive vegetable garden. As planting space in the courtyard was limited, plants were selected that could add drama and lushness without taking up too much space. Bold colours and textures and strong vertical lines from the canna lilies and clumping palms create the feeling of a lush tropical retreat all-year round. The pine timber fence was stained with Resene Waterborne Woodsman "Iroko" which forms a rich backdrop to the courtyard