The owner of this secluded courtyard in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood longed to create a retreat that would accommodate a quiet afternoon of reading or an intimate family celebration. Although the hardscape elements – pavement, walls, water feature – were installed years ago, the client found the plantings to be a perennial source of frustration.  

 

The challenges of the courtyard’s unique microclimate made it difficult for most plants to thrive. The solution required a shift in perspective: to view the garden as an annual display and regard the shady, humid conditions as an asset.

 

The planting design calls upon a monochromatic palette of tropical foliage, prompting the eye to focus on textural contrasts. A collection of 5’ to 7’ tall delicately-textured Australian tree ferns – custom sourced from Florida – anchors the space. Bold monstera and feathery Kimberly fern add depth. The garage facade is enrobed in a robust collection of staghorn fern. Browalia’s cerulean blooms and crisp New Guinea impatiens lend moments of color. In combination, the plant materials make the most of this shady nook to create a space with a distinctive character.