Large picture windows looked out onto the empty narrow side yard. Our solution was to create a dramatic 3D modular installation with CorTen Planters filled with low maintenance cacti.

Transformed Tucson Courtyard

Santa Rita Landscaping, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized and desert look side yard partial sun xeriscape in Phoenix with brick pavers.

Gardenhill Drive, La Mirada

Solscapes

Frontyard turf removal and complete new, drought-resistant landscaping, including a new paver driveway, and colorful, flowering plants.
Photo of a mid-sized and desert look side yard full sun xeriscape in Orange County with gravel.

Shadow Lake

Showcase Landscape & Irrigation

Inspiration for a large and desert look side yard partial sun xeriscape in Denver with natural stone pavers.

Low Water Landscape, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Revolution Landscape

Vibrant Succulents: With thousands of succulents and cacti to choose from, selection is about color, texture, and dimension.
This is an example of a large and desert look side yard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with natural stone pavers.

Mill St. Streetscape

Studio Foliosa

Design ideas for a mid-sized and desert look beach style side yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Denver with mulch.

Killer Eighties Swaim

Prideaux Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized and desert look modern side yard partial sun xeriscape in Other with concrete pavers.

Samuel Jackson

Eldorado Outdoor Lighting LLC

the rustic steel bollard with a vegetation cutout casts shadows onto the ground plane, illuminating the seasonal dry creek bed and surrounding desert plantings.

Tucson Desert Oasis

Denomy Designs

Inspiration for a large and desert look country side yard full sun xeriscape in Phoenix with concrete pavers.

The Caillet

Southern Design & Build

Inspiration for a desert look modern side yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Dallas with gravel and a wood fence.

Side Garden / Heritage Oak

Charles Di Piazza Architecture

A generous garden is sheltered by a Heritage Live Oak Tree, and forms a close relationship with an adjacent Landscape also designed by Charles Di Piazza Architects.

Spring Branch New Design & Install

Sage Pools, Scapes & Design

mother of tongues in a rock garden with aptenia that will spread as a nice ground cover over time
Inspiration for a large and desert look eclectic side yard full sun garden in Houston with mulch.

Steel Steps Lead to Side Garden

Eden Garden Design

Custom steel and limestone boulder retaining walls with xeric Texas planting. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Wooten Backyard Living

Native Edge Landscape

These homeowners were looking to up their hosting game by modernizing their property to create the ultimate entertainment space. A custom outdoor kitchen was added with a top of the line Delta Heat grill and a special nook for a Big Green Egg. Flagstone was added to create asymmetrical walkways throughout the yard that extended into a ring around the fire pit. Four rectangular trellises were added along the fence and shed, with an all metal pergola located at the back of the pool. This unique structure immediately draws the eye and adds a playful, artistic element to the rest of the space. The use of various sized rocks, gravel, and flagstone give a rough texture that creates a symbiosis with the metalwork. Silver Falls Dichondra creates a beautiful contrast to the rocks and can be found all over the property along with various other grasses, ferns, and agave. A large area of gravel rests on the side of the house, giving the client room to park a recreational vehicle. In front, a privacy fence was added along one of the property lines, leading into a drought resistant, eco-friendly section of yard. This fence, coupled with a giant boulder, doubles as a safety precaution in case drivers miss the turn and run into their lawn. This updated landscaping adds an effortless flow for guests to move from the front yard to the back while creating a very open, welcoming feel to all who enter.

Draco - Elevation - Equinox

Blue Heron

Photo of a large and desert look contemporary side yard full sun garden in Las Vegas.

Bohemian Canyon House

Studio Connate

Inspiration for an expansive and desert look eclectic side yard full sun garden in Los Angeles with decking.

Priddis Acreage #6

Twisted Rock Terrascape & Design, Inc.

Our clients hired us to create a landscape for their new acreage that stays true to the native setting. We utilized natural rock, large southern Alberta native trees and plantings, with rock slabs for steps down the walkout sides of the home. The new asphalt driveway will be going in now that the landscaping is complete.

Wooten Backyard Living

Native Edge Landscape

Shadow Lake

Showcase Landscape & Irrigation

Inspiration for a large and desert look side yard partial sun xeriscape in Denver with natural stone pavers.

Mt. Helix

Landscape Designs BY Maggie Rivera

Large and desert look mediterranean side yard full sun xeriscape in San Diego for spring.

Desert Look Side Yard Garden 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.