You need to give us more info. How small or big is your courtyard, i.e. dimensions? What kind of mature trees and how big? Are there any structures besides the fence and garage? How big are these structures and where are they situated?

A picture or a lot more detail is needed. Otherwise I would recommend a nice bird bath, fountain, or some other 'hard' landscaping.

I would plant shade loving bulbs and perennials, like ferns, hostas, etc. that come up out of the ground and then go back down so you won't have to pull leaves out of them like you would shrubs. Hard landscaping is also a good idea, but you will have to sweep it somehow. Of course, all those leaf droppings make great compost! :)

You can send me a picture and I can hook you up with a good little design idea. For low maintenance and an impressive look, and could get about 3 large boulders, then have a little natural informal stone path curving past it- with a little bench on the other side.... then some low growing plants and mulch. What do you think?

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