When the homeowners contacted Nancy Shanahan of Sycamore Design, they wanted to enlist her expertise for one goal: to provide screening from the neighboring school and its construction projects. Little did they know, this small assignment would open the door to an ongoing series of projects culminating in a garden that celebrates the seasons while supporting their family activities. Both a tranquil respite and a platform for entertaining guests, these outdoor spaces are an extension of the homeowners' vibrant personalities, reaching playful functionality with the use of texture, movement, color, and even edibles. Their garden thrives today and continues to evolve with the recent addition of a cutting garden, a sunken spa to replace their trampoline, and a fire pit to activate the area beneath their majestic oak tree.

Cast concrete path stone

Lankford Associates Landscape Architects

Cast in place, concrete step pads are used through the woodlands to tie the informal spaces together. This lodge style bungalow is located on a small lake on the western side of Washington State.

Small Spaces

G Brown Design

Corrugated metal recycled from old shed, table base made from old water heater, flag stone reused from torn down building
Design ideas for a small eclectic backyard shaded garden in Salt Lake City with gravel.

Osito Garden

Billy Goodnick Garden Design

A quiet, meditative space on a tree-covered, west facing side yard. The dominant planting motif is semi-tropical foliage emphasizing chartreuse and light green leaves in varying textures and forms. Photo: Billy Goodnick

Sitting area in my garden.

Jay Sifford Garden Design

The red bench and 3 panel privacy screen with art provide both a perfect backdrop and a destination in my personal woodland garden. This is at the top of the three tiered koi pond. All my favorite hostas are planted here.

5-Points Bungalow Overview

Philip Crawford and associates

Overview of outdoor patio, with dining, fire pit, water feature, and arbor/trellis, surrounded by lush plantings
Design ideas for a small eclectic backyard shaded garden in Raleigh with a water feature.

The Goodfriend Garden

Gardens by Jeffrey Bale

Jeffrey Bale
Design ideas for an eclectic backyard shaded garden in Portland.

Eclectic Landscape

Mid-sized eclectic backyard shaded garden in Dallas.

Latimer Road Project

Campion Walker Landscapes

Campion Walker designed and built the pool as an inner courtyard and intimate transition from inside to outside living for a dynamic young family. Peaceful pathways shaded by native oaks, sequoias and soft, elegant drought tolerant plants accent the cool, crisp lines of home and poolside.

Gardens and Planting Design

Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction

This peaceful garden setting is the perfect place to gather thoughts or converse with a friend. Water creates a soothing visual and auditory experience. The existing woods provided the perfect natural setting, while bright foliage ties the sitting area together.

A plant lover's paradise

Optic Verve LLC

With limited floor space, go vertically. Metal screens with vines divide the spaces. Winding flagstone paths narrow and widen to allow for seating/dining areas. Spaces are separated by densely planted beds.

Pond and garden

User

Pond with natural planting arrangement
This is an example of a large eclectic backyard shaded formal garden in Seattle with with pond.

A Pond for the Front Entry

Mary Kirk Menefee, Landscape Designer

An overhead view shows the just-completed pond, stream, new front walk, and baby plantings. Designed by Mary Kirk Menefee; installed by Merrifield Garden Center. Photo: Homeowner

Formal in Noe Valley

Terra Rubina

Juliana Rauch
Eclectic backyard shaded garden in San Francisco for fall.

G A R D E N - Pacific Northwest

Lore Patterson

Bainbridge Island Garden | photo: Lore Patterson
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic backyard shaded formal garden for summer in Seattle with brick pavers.

Queen Anne Hill, Seattle WA (after)

Michael Muro Garden Design

Photo of a small eclectic front yard shaded garden for spring in Seattle with natural stone pavers and a garden path.

Overhaul in Briar Forest

Sage Pools, Scapes & Design

Large eclectic front yard shaded garden in Houston with mulch.

Outdoor Rooms and Spaces

Paces Construction Co

Used vine from property to create unique stairway to fire circle
Inspiration for an eclectic sloped shaded garden in Atlanta.

Secret Urban Garden

Land2c Landscape Architecture

Land2c photo. The bench has lids that lift up to give convenient access to the garbage and recycle cans from the back door and ground level. The doors open for easy removal so the cans can be rolled to the curb on collection day. The cans are only steps away from the kitchen but are completely hidden from sight in the garden.

Craftsman Ecclectic Entry

Plan-it Earth Design

A rain garden collects the water from the porch roof of this craftsman home Collaborative design by Amy Whitworth, Lora Price and Annie Bamberger Installation by J. Walter Landscape & Irrigation Photo by Amy Whitworth

Eclectic Shaded Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Eclectic 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 eclectic 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 an Eclectic Garden for Your Home

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