I would ignore the comments about being 'tired and dull'. It suits its environment perfectly, 'new and shiny' would look completely out of place! Why not pick up on it instead with a couple of quirky planters. I have a random collection of galvanised buckets, baths, watering cans and what have you, that are easy enough to find, or look for some old terracotta pots or glazed planters. The odd crack or chip can be becoming. I'm sure the Japanese have a word for it, but can't remember what it is!
It's only a small courtyard, so a bucket of water, with just a sniff of detergent, an old fashioned stiff scrubbing brush and some elbow grease should do it.
You don't have to do it all at once either. I find that for hard or boring, but necessary, tasks it helps to assign either a length of time - just half an hour or a quota of work - 4 paving flags say, to do every day. The bite size approach helps me get through it and it becomes part of the daily routine for a while, which somehow makes it more bearable, and then when you finish, whoopee, free time!
Thank you for your comments. I love the idea of quirky planters etc. Did you buy yours new or get from eBay/marketplace etc? I have a couple of old chimney pots I really like too . That’s a brilliant idea about timescale for cleaning by hand! The thought of doing it in one go was really unappealing! Albeit a relatively small area, I don’t think it’s ever been cleaned. So I’m liking the “bite size” approach 🙂 That would really work for me. Thanks for your help and advice!
Most gardens look a bit tired and dull at this time of year. Even if you did nothing it would look better later in the year. With a little work and imagination, it will look amazing. If it was mine I'd go for lush tropical foliage , drippy looking ferns, the odd splash of colour and the sound of water. You could hide the fountain under the leaves if you couldn't find one you liked the look of.
It's a gorgeous space! If you do decide to go with a few large pots I recommend putting them on platforms with wheels, giving the opportunity to move them around seasonally or just to change the look. We did this with our patio,, all large pots with Fatsia, Fig, Olive, Cordyline and 2 large box balls. The initial outlay for platforms with wheels (dollies) is well worth it. Have fun!
Most gardens look a bit tired and dull at this time of year. Even if you did nothing it would look better later in the year. With a little work and imagination, it will look amazing. If it was mine I'd go for lush tropical foliage , drippy looking ferns, the odd splash of colour and the sound of water. You could hide the fountain under the leaves if you couldn't find one you liked the look of.
Thank you. I love the idea of some ferns and a fountain. It may be a silly question but I presume they have to run off electricity? I’ve always wondered how they work without cables?
It's a gorgeous space! If you do decide to go with a few large pots I recommend putting them on platforms with wheels, giving the opportunity to move them around seasonally or just to change the look. We did this with our patio,, all large pots with Fatsia, Fig, Olive, Cordyline and 2 large box balls. The initial outlay for platforms with wheels (dollies) is well worth it. Have fun!
Thank you. That’s a great idea to have the wheeled platforms. I shall do some research. Large pots are a great idea and I’ll look up the plants. Thank you
I agree, it's a beautiful little courtyard, the aged walls are to die for, crying out for a beautiful rose climbing across it.
As others have said (and I'm sure it's easier said than done) a bit of elbow grease and time will have that paving looking good as new.
Thank you I’m glad you like it. Do you have any recommendations for climbing roses? I’m a complete novice. I’ve seen many advertised but don’t know where to begin. Thanks.
I'm old enough to have used the watering cans - they weren't always made of plastic!
The baths were from my parents' generation, but I like old things, so I kept them. There's a small galvanised trough too, from feeding our sheep, that rusted through. No good for them any more, but lined with plastic, with a few drainage holes, will make a nice little planter this summer.
I've even got a really pretty chamber pot, Victorian probably, from ma-in-laws side. It's decorated with flowers and I use it indoors to stand houseplants in, as it wouldn't withstand frost.
Look for junk stores, charity shops, even markets, once things open up again. Go with an open mind and some imagination and you might be surprised with what you can get for not very much!
@Slippery Elm: Thanks for that, I knew I'd read it somewhere!
Most gardens look a bit tired and dull at this time of year. Even if you did nothing it would look better later in the year. With a little work and imagination, it will look amazing. If it was mine I'd go for lush tropical foliage , drippy looking ferns, the odd splash of colour and the sound of water. You could hide the fountain under the leaves if you couldn't find one you liked the look of.
Thank you. I love the idea of some ferns and a fountain. It may be a silly question but I presume they have to run off electricity? I’ve always wondered how they work without cables?
You can get small plate size solar fountains that just float on top for a few pounds. They do only tend to work when the sun is directly on them though.
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If it was mine I'd go for lush tropical foliage , drippy looking ferns, the odd splash of colour and the sound of water. You could hide the fountain under the leaves if you couldn't find one you liked the look of.
As others have said (and I'm sure it's easier said than done) a bit of elbow grease and time will have that paving looking good as new.