The rock garden hugs the lower retaining wall and provides interest around the lower patio under the deck. Six boxwood add a little symmetry and formality but the rest is very free-flowing with varying sizes and types of stone, sedums, specimen dwarf conifers and various other low-growing plants to add color and texture to the mix.

Contemporary Garden Grove

CaliScape Landscape Services

This homeowner was looking for a sophisticated yet functional outdoor space. We sought to keep the space organic but also clean and contemporary. The faux concrete containers give the space edge while the succulents and drought tolerant foliage add a natural feel. The homeowners also wanted to make sure their outdoor design incorporated drought-resistant features. We forwent grass for a cleaner natural stone patio throughout the entire yard making it a perfect space to host outdoor dinner parties in the summer!

Colorado Native Landscape

C&H Landscaping

Mid-sized traditional backyard full sun xeriscape in Denver with natural stone pavers for summer.

West Village Brownstone, New York, NY

Billinkoff Architecture PLLC

photo:Frank Oudeman
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in New York with gravel and a container garden.

Oro Valley

Terra Designs, Inc

Mid-sized backyard full sun xeriscape in Phoenix with concrete pavers and a fire feature for summer.

Coan Waterfront Landscape, Camano Island, WA

Lankford Associates Landscape Architects

From the street, a round rock pathway leads to a small seating area next to the water with a small fire pit. Low maintenance, drought resistant and salt tolerant plantings were used in mass and clumps. This garden has become the focus of the neighborhood with many visitors stopping and enjoying what has become a neighborhood landmark. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Photo by R. Scott Lankford

Moroccan Zellij

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

Modern landscape with different gravels and poured in place concrete.
This is an example of a large modern backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in San Francisco with gravel and a wood fence.

Backyard Bliss

Shambhala Landscapes

This classic San Francisco backyard was transformed into an inviting and usable outdoor living space. A few steps down lead to a lounging area, featuring drought-friendly and maintenance-free artificial grass as well as a cozy, custom-built natural gas fire pit surrounded by a Redwood bench. Redwood fencing, low-voltage LED landscape lighting, drip irrigation, planting and a water feature completed the space.

Pool Landscape Richmond

Sage Pools, Scapes & Design

New entrance to the yard. We refurbished their existing pavers and utilized them along the entrance to the yard.
Mid-sized eclectic backyard full sun xeriscape in Houston.

Birds, Bees & Butterflies

Roxy Designs

Photo: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
This is an example of a mediterranean backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with natural stone pavers.

Backyard Landscape

Wakasa Construction & Landscaping

Synthetic grass - Low maintenance - Stepping stones patio - Contemporary Landscape - backyard - dwarf bougainvillea juanita hatten - white azalea
Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard shaded xeriscape in Houston.

Kangaroo paws and succulents against modern house

June Scott Design

Succulents, grasses and low-water shrubs with vivid foliage give this coastal garden a rich, textured look with minimal maintenance. Exterior colors and furniture selection by Julie McMahon. Photos by Daniel Bosler

Beautiful Small Space Backyard Design

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
Small contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with decking.

South County Succulents

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

A succulent collection in south San Luis Obispo County
Contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in San Luis Obispo.

Country Pool Garden

John Davies Landscape

Woodland edge pool garden with summer perennials and grasses. Hard landscaping features flint walling with limestone copings, a hardwood timber deck and clay pavers to skirt around the house.

Country Pool Garden

John Davies Landscape

Woodland edge pool garden with summer perennials and grasses. Hard landscaping features flint walling with limestone copings, a hardwood timber deck and clay pavers to skirt around the house.

Los Gatos Garden

studio M MERGE

Private layered green garden with stone, concrete and decomposed granite. The garden provides an intimate seating area adjacent to the family room - indoor outdoor living. Home design/renovation by Klopf Architecture. Acacia Cousin Itt, Lomandra 'Platinum Beauty', Dianella and no mow lawn create part of the overall planting palette.

Outdoor Living in Del Sur

Evoscapes, Luxury Landscape Designs

Explore the potential of compact spaces with our stylish, contemporary outdoor transformations. This small yard, now an expansive-feeling retreat, is perfect for enjoying games at the outdoor bar or relaxing by the cozy fire feature. Our use of stacked stone, ipe hardwood, and metals elegantly accentuates each aspect of this dream space for outdoor entertainment.

Psomas Residence

Hsu McCullough

View from second floor bedroom window of backyard patio, swimming pool, spa, raised wood deck, lawn, pool house with planted roof of meadow grass and legacy Elm and Brazilian Pepper trees.

Painted Brick and Board and Batten Modern Farmhouse

Wyrick Residential Design

Photo of a country backyard full sun xeriscape in Houston with with path and concrete pavers.

Backyard Xeriscape Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.