This inner city courtyard is a very good example of how to create a garden in a small space. The owners moved to Sydney from Adelaide six years ago and virtually brought the backyard with them. They moved from a house with a courtyard so most of the plants were in pots. Even the goldfish had a temporary home in a rubbish bin until their new pond was ready.

The first step was to remove the lawn. The 10m x 5m area was then divided into two paved terraces, with French doors opening out onto the lower level where there is an outdoor setting. A pond was constructed for the fish and the plants were put in position.

Most of the plants have interesting foliage. They include bangalow, golden cane and kentia palms, stag and elkhorn ferns, fishbone ferns, aspidistras, hydrangeas, philodendrons and calla lilies. There are several varieties of dracaena including Dracaena marginata 'Tricolor', named for the three colours on its leaf. Bonsais feature prominently in this garden, while orchids and hoyas grow happily on top of the garden shed. Don also noticed a variegated form of Acokanthera oblongifolia, known commonly as 'bushman's poison' because its berries are particularly poisonous.

Further reading

This garden is featured in the April edition of the Burke's Backyard Magazine, available at newsagents and supermarkets for $4.95.

Copyright CTC Productions 2002