Creating Your Own Subtropical Urban Courtyard

Creating a subtropical garden is a unique way to transform a home’s courtyard into a picturesque oasis. With the help of a residential landscape designer, homeowners can finally have an outdoor space they’re proud of—one that ties the interior theme together and welcomes guests with passion and elegance.

Elements of Subtropical Outdoor Living Space

1. The best urban courtyards are those that exist as an extension of the home’s interior—not just through the use of color and texture, but matching materials as well (think lighting, flooring, and wall coverings). Creating the illusion of one continuous space between the interior rooms and the outdoors is the key to cultivating subtropical modernism.

2. Choosing statement pieces that are both functional and stylish can help decrease clutter and maximize storage space. A water feature might serve as a focal point in the garden while a single colored privacy wall unifies the small details of the courtyard.

3. No subtropical landscape would be complete without tropical plants and potted fruit trees. Regardless of soil quality, any yard can be enhanced by fresh fruit with careful consideration to container-grown plants. The added benefit to potted plants is the ability to rearrange the courtyard with a Feng Shui effect.

4. Miami is a place for individual expression—freedom, fashion, fun. Homeowners who work with a professional designer are better able to highlight their passions in an outdoor setting. Fashioning a subtropical urban courtyard after a funky personal style or color preference brings personality to the landscape. A major design Do!  

5. Mother Nature is the ultimate artist. The use of native plants as sculpture is a natural design element that pays respect to the home’s geography as well as one’s overall vision of the outdoor space. Small groups of various species blend bold design with crisp, clean texture—perfect for playing with the shadows of natural light.  

6. Modern subtropical landscaping is often marked by walkways that contrast the garden’s multiple shades of green. The combination of pavers and ground cover plants create the perfect mix of function and aesthetics without interrupting the courtyard’s main attraction—plant life.

Plant Professionals

Choosing the right combination of subtropical elements to perfect an urban courtyard’s ambiance and style often requires the help of a professional Miami landscape designer. Southern Florida homeowners can obtain a free consultation and estimate by calling Plant Professionals at 786-574-6872 or inquiring online. Please contact us today! We look forward to working with you.