Very private backyard enclave waterfall
Contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden in DC Metro with with waterfall and natural stone pavers for summer.

Bayside

David R. Lamb, Landscape Architect

This propery is situated on the south side of Centre Island at the edge of an oak and ash woodlands. orignally, it was three properties having one house and various out buildings. topographically, it more or less continually sloped to the water. Our task was to creat a series of terraces that were to house various functions such as the main house and forecourt, cottage, boat house and utility barns. The immediate landscape around the main house was largely masonry terraces and flower gardens. The outer landscape was comprised of heavily planted trails and intimate open spaces for the client to preamble through. As the site was largely an oak and ash woods infested with Norway maple and japanese honey suckle we essentially started with tall trees and open ground. Our planting intent was to introduce a variety of understory tree and a heavy shrub and herbaceous layer with an emphisis on planting native material. As a result the feel of the property is one of graciousness with a challenge to explore.

Private Modern Garden

Outside Collective

Christel Leung
Small modern backyard full sun formal garden in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete pavers.

LONDON - Notting Hill

Cityscapers

Nigel Gomme
Photo of a large tropical backyard partial sun formal garden in London with decking and a garden path.

Traditional Garden

Landscaping Solutions

Inspiration for a small traditional backyard shaded formal garden in London with natural stone pavers and with raised garden bed.

Hampstead Small Garden

Peter Reader Landscapes

The view from the raised seating area across the garden.
Small contemporary backyard formal garden in London with concrete pavers.

Courtyard

Jobe Corral Architects

This house was designed around a small courtyard. Photos by Casey Woods
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary courtyard partial sun formal garden in Austin with a water feature and gravel.

Formal Vegetable Garden

Offshoots, Inc.

A beautiful escape in your edible garden. Fruit trees create a privacy screen around a cedar pergola and raised vegetable beds.
Design ideas for a country backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Boston with a vegetable garden and gravel.

A Gaelic Estate in the Hamptons

Devore Associates

Traditional formal garden in New York with a water feature.

Summer Perennial Garden

Chalet

This is an example of a large traditional front yard partial sun formal garden in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Traditional Landscape

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Other with a garden path and mulch.

Redbrick Roseville

Oliver Design Associates

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in New York.

gardenUP Garden Designs

gardenUP®

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun formal garden for spring in Boston with mulch and with flowerbed.

York - Private Garden

Yorkshire Garden Designer

Design ideas for an australian native traditional backyard formal garden in Other with a garden path and decking.

English Jewel Box

Mariani Landscape

The transition to several garden rooms, a gravel path leads from the rear terrace to the many spaces. The entry is flanked by the New England fieldstone seat wall, capped in blue stone. The path is lined with cushwa brick outlining the formal garden filled with boxwood, pachysandra ground cover, hydrangea, magnolia, and eastern redbud. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

Casa Smith Designs, LLC

The star at the center of this veggie garden is the perfect place for the dwarf lemon tree. The six pointed star (just like the Great Seal of the United States) is ideal for the strawberries to cascade over the edges. The star is 6' with 3' clearance around the star so the space is wide enough to comfortably access the veggie beds from all sides. Photo Credit: Mark Pinkerton

Brookline Brownstone

a Blade of Grass

The bluestone patio was screened from the neighbors with a wall of arborvitae. Lush perennial gardens provide flower cutting opportunities and color to offset the green wall.

Espace de vie du jardin

Terrasses des Oliviers - Paysagiste Paris

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for spring in Paris with a garden path, decking and a wood fence.

Leucadia Mid Century

DZN Partners

PixelProFoto
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury backyard partial sun formal garden in San Diego with a container garden and gravel.

Family Garden in Putney

Ruth Willmott Associates

Ruth Willmott
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard formal garden in London.

Formal 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.