Two William Morrow gardens were featured in "Backyards" a Sunset Design Guide, published in January, 2009.

Separated by large glass doors, this courtyard patio is a seamless extension of the adjoining indoor space and creates an alternative seating area for entertaining. Tall and narrow conifers planted in a narrow trough partially obscure the view of a neighbor. A black iron fence sits low enough to allow a view of the surrounding neighborhood while safely keeping children and pets on the courtyard.

Tucked up against the house and bordered by three or more walls, a courtyard can be a secluded place to sit and relax, or dine and entertain. It can also be a transition between two or more sections of the house. When surrounded by four walls, a courtyard is truly another room of the house, albeit one without a solid roof. Children can play outdoors unattended, and the courtyard can be outfitted with potted plants to bring in color and fragrance.

Courtyards in condominium, townhouse, and apartment buildings may be visible to neighbors. Use umbrellas to provide privacy from above, and tall potted plants around the perimeter.

The Elements:

Water feature: Wall fountain.

Hardscaping: Pea gravel path; retaining walls made of Carderock Stone quarried in Maryland; stone and concrete stairs.

Furniture and accessories: Metal seating; slate-topped table; potted plants throughout the garden.

Landscape designer William Morrow uses his long and narrow terraced lot primarily as a testing ground for plants. "I needed a flexible space where I could experiment with new cultivars and varieties to see how they perform in the Washington DC area," he says. "I continually pull up plants that underperform and install the latest rare plant that I'm able to procure."

The sensible pea gravel path, low stone walls, and barberry hedge give the backyard symmetry and order, preventing it from looking like an out-of-control test garden. But the focal point is a simple fountain in the middle terrace, surrounded by a curved wall and filled with water plants. The sound of water creates a peaceful calm in the garden. A pair of agaves sit in pots on stone columns that flank the wide stairs leading from the seating area to the garden beyond.

Below: Blooming rosebushes cascade down an ivy-covered wall, perfuming the seating area. Water shoots out of a simple metal spigot into a dark lagoon below that's filled with water plants and floating lily pads.