Words for courtyard garden that works in both US and UK

I'm aware that what I in the UK would call a garden, in the US would be called a yard.

To me in the UK a yard is paved or cobbled. Might just have a few pots at the edge, or a bush, but we are not talking green and flourishing.

No idea what might be used other than in US or UK.

So yesterday I was writing a scene where in passing I referred to a courtyard garden. Someone looks through railings into an area between two buildings which I am picturing as wall to wall cobbles, with various raised beds (round beds stone walls) which have herbs, flowers and maybe a small tree. So a pleasantly scented leafy area, shady sitting spot in summer, sun trap in winter, not muddy underfoot. It really is in passing in this scene (though might be used more in a few chapters), so for now I am trying to pick as few words as possible. To me "courtyard garden" invokes what I've just described. (Courtyard garden plus mention of cobbles, herbs, maybe a seat - can just about be done in a sentence or maybe two.)

So does "courtyard garden" work for you?

Hoping for some "international" answers here please.

Deb Kinnard said:

US here. Does "walled garden" get your concept across? From what you've described, I'm visualizing the private garden into which the lovers climbed in "Notting Hill." Is that the general idea?

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From watching the film a few years ago I remember them on a bench in a garden - but thought it was the sort of thing you get in the middle of a Victorian square of houses. Sort of a big thing with mature trees and grass.

I've now done a quick google on "courtyard garden".

This http://www.floralandhardy.co.uk/portfolio/garden-design-snodland/

Is the closest to what I am after (but built about three centuries ago, no pergola, stone walls not brick, glistening grey cobbles not the flagstone and no fountain feature...) And about twice the area......

Incidentally when I say "cobbles"

Does it mean this https://pixabay.com/en/cobblestones-road-paving-stones-393455/

to you?

We're talking an already established in the readers head vaguely 17th century fantasy world setting. Or do I need to have in a few extra words like "rough" and "polish by traffic" and "grey".

In many ways probably doesn't matter too much, but in setting the atmosphere with wheels rumbling over cobbles, want to be in the right ball park.

morngnstar said:

Courtyard or not, Americans would call it a garden. A yard is strictly grass. If there are flowers, or vegetables, it's a garden. A yard is sometimes bordered by gardens; it might be said that these are "in" or even "part of" the yard, but if there's not much grass at all, it definitely isn't a yard.

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OK I didn't realise yard was just grass. Garden being garden in that way is handy thank you.
I'd call an area of grass a lawn.... (well if it is nicely mowed). Whether area of grass, or central grass (lawn) plus shrubs, all are gardens to me. Wanted to communicate "enclosed" + "paving" + "plants" + "bounded in part by buildings".

Thanks Alleycat and Maryn (cross posted on my previous with you).

The layout is buildings on east and west, high iron railings to north and south running from the corners of the buildings. It is a central area inside a larger area of buildings, cobblestone yard and walls - vaguely monastic enclosure but not monastic...... So at certain times, the public can come in to the big enclosure through an arched gatehouse, are in a big cobbled area where people and handcarts can mill around and beyond this is the restricted area of the residents - the buildings and railings enclosing the garden. Then there is more stuff beyond that can be be seen through the railings. I want some stuff to be visible further through, but there to be secluded bits in the garden. It is more about controlled access than pure privacy.

Thanks folks. I'm tweaking it slightly away from courtyard, as that is not quite right for the picture in my head. I too think courtyard with buildings on all side, now its been said.

Sorted thank you.

Cobbles - OK I'd think of Maryn's as large pebbles and would only expect to see them laid as an ornamental area in a garden. However, since all I wanted was hand laid lumpy stone road surface, that will make a lot of noise with carts crossing it and be a bit rough, cobbles of both sorts work. One is just a lot rougher than the other.

Also interesting to hear the US variants on gardens and yards.