Oak Tree Setting With Hillside Views, Landscape Renovation, Northern California

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. Galvanized troughs used for vegetables in the side yard. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Chalet en Santa Clara

Idearte Marta Montoya

This is an example of a contemporary side yard partial sun xeriscape in Seville with a garden path.

Modern Luxury in Timnath, Colorado

Deep Seeded Landscape and Design, Inc.

Belgard Mirage Glocal Paver stairs trimmed with steel edging welcome guests to a modern home and courtyard. Drought tolerant landscaping and outdoor lighting soften stone masonry and steel accents.

Sage-Scented Spa

FormLA Landscaping

A little splashing is a good thing here, as fragrant White Sage and delicate Lilac Verbena will enjoy the drink!
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for spring in Los Angeles with with waterfall, concrete pavers and a stone fence.

Dramatic Streetscape Planting

Eden Garden Design

Striking Texas native botanical design with local river rock top dressing. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Custom Corten steel planter.

Outside InStyle

Drought tolerant Corten steel retaining wall acts as planter above Huntington Drive.
Design ideas for a large contemporary sloped full sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and mulch.

Woodland Garden- Los Feliz

Ketti Kupper Conscious Life Design

Sitting boulders to catch the view, flagstone path and Heuchera at the base of the Sequoia . Photo by Ketti Kupper.
Small contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Details

Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

This is an example of a large contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and gravel.

Sophisticated Mid-City Residence

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

The low wall was set 3 ft back from the sidewalk with plants placed in front. The stairs create a niche for the front gate where we placed urns with dwarf Kumquat trees planted in them. An electric gate for their cars creates some security.

Form & Flow

Roxy Designs

Photo: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with natural stone pavers.

Inner City Adelaide

Acre

Jonathan VDK Photography
Mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in Other with natural stone pavers for spring.

Hilltop Getaway

Eco Landscape Design & Build

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a vegetable garden and concrete pavers.

Eastbourne

Homescapes

Dressed Macrocarpa sleepers raised planters
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Wellington with a retaining wall and decking.

Prairie Village Front Landscape

Embassy Landscape Group

Inspiration for a large contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in Kansas City with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Lake Austin Residence

Botanical Concerns LLC

New gold lantana lines the driveway and partially disguises a gravel band used to prevent erosion from the edges of the driveway.
Inspiration for a large contemporary side yard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Austin with brick pavers.

Modern Zen Garden Green Design

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Photography by Studio H Landscape Architecture. Post processing by Isabella Li.
This is an example of a small contemporary side yard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with a garden path and gravel.

Fence & Pergola at Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Jeffrey Edward Tryon
Mid-sized contemporary side yard shaded xeriscape in Philadelphia with a vertical garden and brick pavers for fall.

Forman Frontyard

Garden Stories

A mid-century home sits behind this naturalistic planting design framed by a horizontal, contemporary-style fence. The lines of the fence are the perfect foil to the wispy brushstrokes of feather grass. This planting design was inspired by wind-swept hills, and foothill Manzanita. These plants thrive with absolutely no irrigation and no additional water (not even in the first year). The concrete pavers were re-purposed from the original garden. Photo: James Wilson

O'Conner Waterfront, Camano Island WA

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Courtyard gate with the Hannon residence in the background. The gate is constructed of Lexan panels set into a galvanized steel frame. The arbor is constructed of Glu-Lam beams with galvanized steel caps to protect the wood from water. the arbor is also attached to the masonry columns with galvanized steel connectors. This image is taken from inside the common courtyard, located between the two houses, looking back to the Hannon residence. Photography by Lucas Henning. The gate was designed by Roger Hill, Landscape Architect.

tresarca

Assemblage Studio

Photo of a contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in Las Vegas with gravel.

Contemporary Xeriscape Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Contemporary 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 contemporary 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 Contemporary Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.