California natives, including Hummingbird Sage, Salvia Clevelandii and Indian Mallow thrive in the bioswale. Here, grape seems to reach for the sun from the rebar arbor. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

Provence on the North Shore

Mariani Landscape

Linda Oyama Bryan
Design ideas for an expansive traditional garden in Chicago.

Design Build: Rancho Santa Fe - Full circle

The Design Build Company

Drought tolerant container gardens with Agave Pedunculifera by The Design Build Company
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Greenfield, NY Pool

Mandy's Spring Nursery and Landscaping

Design ideas for an expansive traditional backyard garden in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

"Jormangundr" The Nordic World Serpent Sculpture

McCallister Sculpture

This is a sculpture of the Nordic Myth, "Jormangundr". The serpent grew so large that it was able to surround the earth and grasp its own tail. As a result, it received the name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent. When it releases its tail, Ragnarök will begin. Jörmungandr's arch-enemy is the thunder-god, Thor.

A Garden Retreat

Gale Nurseries Inc.

Photo By Rob Cardillo
Photo of an expansive garden in Philadelphia.

Lakeside Cottage

Landscape Renovations, Inc.

Design ideas for an expansive transitional side yard partial sun driveway in Minneapolis with concrete pavers.

Weekend Getaway - Renovated walkway through forest to house

The Crafted Garden

The 72 foot-long stone walkway takes one from road to front yard courtyard. Plantings include, Microbiota, Tiarellas, Heuchera, Autumn and Polystichum ferns

Hillside Landscape Sanctuary in Northern California

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Besides offering seating for several visitors, the Sonoma fieldstone and blue stone curved bench in the upper paatio also serves as a retaining wall. And softened by the colorful plantings on the slope above. This summer display of salvias, succulents and other flowering plants create a natural environment for the birds, bees and butterflies and a welcoming and a tranquil sitting area for the homeowner and guests to enjoy. Decomposed granite patio pathways. The majestic oak is a primary focal point in this setting and opens up to the distance hillsides and a bay view. A sustainable landscape design that respects nature. Design and Photo: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com

Spanish Colonial Revival Estate

Gabriela Yariv Landscape Design

Jennifer Cheung
Photo of an expansive mediterranean formal garden in Los Angeles.

Aspen Residence

North Fork Builders of Montana, Inc.

David O. Marlow Photography
Photo of an expansive country backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Denver with natural stone pavers and a garden path.

Ross

Wasson Nursery

Expansive country sloped garden in Indianapolis with a water feature for spring.

BEFORE/AFTER VIEW CLEARING-CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Maria Hickey & Associates Landscapes

This native landscape attracts many nesting song birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Inspiration for an expansive traditional backyard full sun garden for summer in Boston.

Towering redwoods

Living Interiors

Located in Marin County this forest haven is nestled among towering Redwood and Douglas Fir trees and is just minutes from the restaurants and shopping of Fairfax. This delightful 2 level home invites you into the warmth of country style furnishings in the redwood forest – but still close enough to the city not to feel isolated.

Lawn Replacements with property views

Céladon Designs, Inc.

Inspiration for an expansive contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in Santa Barbara with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

The Blue Garden

R. P. Marzilli & Company Landscape Contractor

Marianne Lee Photography Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architects Parker Construction TheBlueGarden.org
Expansive traditional formal garden in Boston for summer.

Arcadia Spanish Colonial | Fountain Detail

Greey Pickett

The landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property. A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel. The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree. One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Higgins Architects Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments Photography: Sam Rosenbaum

Award Winning New Canaan, CT Estate

Elise Landscapes & Nursery, LLC

This is an example of an expansive traditional side yard shaded garden for summer in New York with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Garden Enclosure

Haver & Skolnick LLC Architects

A fieldstone wall, topped with a mahogany rail fence, provides a garden enclosure and a backdrop for pear espalier. Robert Benson Photography
Expansive country side yard full sun formal garden in New York with a vegetable garden and gravel for summer.

Cal-a-Vie Health Spa & Resort

Laurie Steichen Design LLC

Lush landscape with dense floral foliage, accented with cherub birdbath.
This is an example of an expansive country garden in San Diego.

Expansive 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.