I would plant along the fence line trees like Magnolia (Little Gem) or Hibiscus, and there where the wider part - low shrubs under the trees or stripy Dianella. All these plants and trees are hardy and easy to take care of. Trees don't drop the leaves and slow growing. Otherwise you can place pots with bright plants (Frangipani grows well in the pots). You can mulch the soil under the trees or put some pebbles or gravel like I did (see the photos).

Not sure if you like to grow herbs, but I grow basil, peppermint, and rosemary in my pots. They don't require a whole lot of sun and then they're useful! Nothing like fresh herbs to spice up your tea or foods. :)

Hi marisalyons6. You certainly do have a (fabulous) blank canvas to work with. If I may - starting with that pink wall, someone had already suggested painting it a dark colour. I agree. Great and easy place to start. A deep grey or a Prussian or Oxford blue. Prussian would be my go. On this wall I would hang 2 or 3 "living wall pockets" or some "plants ape vertical" to add a wonderful touch of nature. The garage door has to go, sorry. Either replace with some folding wooden doors to match the stairs and inner doors, or if this is out of your price range simply paint it the same colour as the back wall. If the garage is not in use, it becomes your perfect storage and work area. Maybe even use it as a guest room if you make it over. I'd also be inclined to pull up that fake grass. Sorry, but yuk! Again, depending on your budget add either a shallow floating deck or better still (cause I love stone) is to have a beautiful river stone floor laid. The "drop" from the top to bbq area concerns me, especially if you're having friends over for drinks. Add a tapered stair for both safety and to conserve some space on the bottom there. The angle of closure doesn't really matter, and in fact you may find the greater this angle (from a narrow bottom step to the top step being as wide as the upper area) using a lovely chrome and wire hand rail, will really bring the spaces together and won't really take too much space away from the bottom bbq area. Again, to bring the lot together either floating wooden decking/floor or the stones. Just some thoughts I hope you enjoy reading, and more so enjoy the project. I'd love to get my mitts on it, but I'm a bit far north. Best of luck, and please post updates. Would love to see what you end up with.

Alex, your courtyard area is probably too tight to achieve what you want plus a workable grass area, which will be a hassle to maintain for a small benefit. The first step would be to consult an arbourist about the health condition, longevity and potential to trim any branches below 2m of the existing two trees. No point in landscaping around two old trees if they are in poor health. At the same time confirm with your arbourist how close to your tree trunks that you can pave. In keeping with the period of the home I would probably use second hand bricks from the same period of the home, laid on a sand base to pave most of the area to provide good access between the entry gate and front door, as well as the dining and BBQ area. Don't pave near your tree trunks or under low hanging branches that will be kept. Keep a planting bed at least 600mm wide adjacent to the boundary fence and between the brick paving and house to soften the look. Select plants for your planting beds based on needs, probably low level shrubs between the house and paving, and vertical growing evergreens along the boundary fencing where you may need privacy. Shade loving ground cover under your trees, and mulch everything. Keep it understated and simple, and make the retained tree(s) and your house the feature with garden lighting. In a courtyard this size you don't need to introduce a feature. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls