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.

Garden Spaces

Dabah Landscape Designs

Russian sage and lady's mantle alternating along a white fence with pink roses
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional front yard driveway for summer in New York with a wood fence.

Coan Waterfront Landscape, Camano Island, WA

Lankford Associates Landscape Architects

From the street, a round rock pathway leads to a small seating area next to the water with a small fire pit. Low maintenance, drought resistant and salt tolerant plantings were used in mass and clumps. This garden has become the focus of the neighborhood with many visitors stopping and enjoying what has become a neighborhood landmark. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Photo by R. Scott Lankford

Garden of Two Halves

Bestall & Co Landscape Design

Lee Bestall
Inspiration for a large country backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Other with natural stone pavers.

Mountain Retreat | Old Rail Lane

Barclay Butera Interiors

Inspiration for a country backyard shaded garden for summer in Orange County with gravel.

Traditional Stone Steps + Walls - Elm Grove, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Like the front, there are tiered retaining walls in back to make up the grade change. These walls offer great opportunities for more planting beds. Westhauser Photography

Small town garden no lawn

Amanda Shipman

Amanda Shipman
Small country backyard full sun garden in Hertfordshire with a garden path and brick pavers for summer.

Romantic suburban garden

Jane Harries Garden Designs

The new lawn makes the garden seem bigger and deeper. It's a shallow garden with a point to the left, now concealed by trees and the swing seat. New planting contrasts purples, greys and greens. Jane Harries

Residential Landscape Maintenance

Rosborough Partners Inc.

Lovingly maintained landscape allows the resident to be confident in their home's appearance. (Photo by Mike Crews) #landscape #finegardening
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun driveway for summer in Chicago with brick pavers.

Fire pits and Fireplaces

GreenScapes Landscape Architects and Contractors

Traditional backyard shaded garden in Columbus with a fire feature and gravel for summer.

Typical Residential Projects

Richard P. Rauso, ASLA, Landscape Architects

Richard P. Rauso, ASLA
Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden for summer in Other with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Summit House

Spears Horn Architects

Entrance walk edged with pineleaf penstemon and daylily. Spears Horn Architects
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Albuquerque with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Bluestone Naperville

KD Landscape

Turning into the backyard, a two-tiered pergola and social space make for a grand arrival. Scroll down to the first "before" photo for a peek at what it looked like when we first did our site inventory in the snow. Design by John Algozzini and Kevin Manning.

Planter & Container Garden Design - Fairfield County, CT

Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC

A crescent garden container filled with coleus, petunias, new guinea impatiens, mandevilla, and potato vine.
Inspiration for a traditional front yard partial sun garden for summer in New York with a container garden.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

The bluestone entry and poured-in-place concrete create strength of line in the front while the plantings softly transition to the back patio space.
Photo of an expansive midcentury side yard partial sun garden for summer in Chicago with natural stone pavers and a garden path.

Santa Cruz Sustainable

K & D Landscaping, Inc.

Residential home in Santa Cruz, CA This stunning front and backyard project was so much fun! The plethora of K&D's scope of work included: smooth finished concrete walls, multiple styles of horizontal redwood fencing, smooth finished concrete stepping stones, bands, steps & pathways, paver patio & driveway, artificial turf, TimberTech stairs & decks, TimberTech custom bench with storage, shower wall with bike washing station, custom concrete fountain, poured-in-place fire pit, pour-in-place half circle bench with sloped back rest, metal pergola, low voltage lighting, planting and irrigation! (*Adorable cat not included)

Modern Oasis

Mom's Design Build

With an existing pool and retaining walls, we took this space and made it more modern offering many various spaces for lounging, enjoying the fire, listening to the water feature and an upper synthetic turf area for playing games. It is complete with bluestone pavers, a modern water feature and reflecting pool, a raised ipe deck, synthetic turf, glass railings, a modern, gas fire bowl and a stunning cedar privacy wall!

Midcentury Landscape

Large midcentury front yard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel for summer.

Landscape Design

WINN Design+Build

Photo of a large contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in DC Metro with with path and natural stone pavers.

Southfields Garden

Tom Howard Garden Design and Landscaping

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun garden for summer in London with with pond and natural stone pavers.

Garden Design Ideas for Summer

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.