A selection: Mt Victoria, Roseneath, Seatoun, Northland, Lower Hutt, Eastbourne

Outdoor dining area under glass verandah | Design by HEDGE Garden Design & Nursery | photo NZ House & Garden Magazine
Photo of a large backyard formal garden in Wellington with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Flowing stone walls in front yard woodland provide curb appeal

Home & Garden Design, Atlanta - Danna Cain, ASLA

This house could not be seen from the street, so the owners wanted something that would catch the eye and be welcoming. We created a second entrance of sorts with the focal point stairs that lead the eye into the woodland and provide a glimpse of the home. The river stone wall hints at the mountain cabin home that will soon be seen. These meandering walls weave thru the landscape and add much interest to this previously linear and boring view. Large drifts of low maintenance ground covers and perennials were used for seasonal color. A few colorful annuals are scattered around in a purposeful manner to look like natural drifts of wildflowers. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Bed Stuy Zen - Steel, Stone, & Water

The Brooklyn Garden Club Inc.

Entrance garden, Bed Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn. Corten Steel, and Granite boulder custom fabrication
This is an example of a small asian front yard partial sun formal garden for winter in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Midtown Toronto - Eglinton/Avenue Road

Green Apple Landscaping

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Toronto with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Kirkland Retaining Wall

Sunny Seattle Construction

Photo of a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in Seattle with a retaining wall.

My Landscaping Work

Dave Ryan Landscaping Nantucket

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Boston with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Topanga Retreat

Campion Walker Landscapes

In this extensive landscape transformation, Campion Walker took a secluded house nestled above a running stream and turned it into a multi layered masterpiece with five distinct ecological zones. Using an established oak grove as a starting point, the team at Campion Walker sculpted the hillsides into a magnificent wonderland of color, scent and texture. Natural stone, copper, steel, river rock and sustainable Ipe hardwood work in concert with a dynamic mix of California natives, drought tolerant grasses and Mediterranean plants to create a truly breathtaking masterpiece where every detail has been considered, crafted, and reimagined.

Cashmere

FORM garden architecture

Design ideas for a small contemporary side yard formal garden in Christchurch with a retaining wall and decking.

Water Features and Ponds

Good Earth Water Gardens

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun formal garden for spring in Kansas City with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall.

Wood Fences

Dakota Unlimited

This is an example of a large transitional backyard partial sun formal garden in Minneapolis with a retaining wall, natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Banyon

Jilzart Design

Design ideas for a small tropical side yard partial sun formal garden in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and gravel.

Urban courtyard garden London W12

Melanie Driver Landscape and Garden Design

Stone capped raised beds backed with horizontal cedar panels. Materials: Moleanos Limstone, Cedar, Phyllostachys Aurea, Chamaerops humilis photos Mel Driver

Front Yard Simplicity

STC Builders

Photos by Joe Murgel
Photo of a small modern front yard full sun formal garden for summer in Toronto with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Water Garden Wall

Céladon Designs, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard formal garden in Santa Barbara with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall.

Entrances, Fences & Gates

Maher & Greenwald Fine Gardens

Mid-sized traditional front yard full sun formal garden in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Upperville Estate

River's Edge Landscapes

Photo of a large backyard full sun formal garden in DC Metro with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Stacked Stone Retaining Wall

Randy & Ray's LLC

Add interest to a sloping landscape with natural stacked stone retaining wall and flagstone steps. Photo: Randy & Ray's LLC
Design ideas for an expansive traditional sloped full sun formal garden for summer in Jacksonville with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Hill along driveway transformed into butterfly garden

Home & Garden Design, Atlanta - Danna Cain, ASLA

This butterfly garden and bird sanctuary is seen here in late spring. Dianthus, verbena, and daisies that are flowering here are combined with other drought tolerant shrubs, herbs and annuals that provide 4 seasons of lush color. Terraced stone walls on this steep sunny hillside retain the garden soil needed and provide access to all 3 levels. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Classic Courtyard

Linden L.A.N.D. Group

Rebecca Lindenmeyr
Photo of a large country backyard full sun formal garden in Burlington with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Wayzata

Signature Patio & Landscape Co.

Photo of a large traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Minneapolis with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Formal Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall

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.