This new construction home was in need of a complete landscape design and installation. All details were considered to create intimate spaces as well as a sweeping backyard landscape to compliment the views from the home. The home sits on two lots which allowed it to be built at the desired size. The front yard includes a modern entry courtyard featuring bluestone, decorative gravel and granite sculpture - as well as decorative concrete planters. The backyard has several levels. The upper level is an expanse of lawn with hedging. The middle tier planting softens the poured concrete wall. A steep slope descends to the street below. The homeowners wanted to create access from parking below to the home above, so a series of pavers and granite risers was designed to create a comfortable pathway that also forms the focal point of the backyard. Ecoturf lawn was installed on the slope to minimize the need for water and mowing. Concrete edging deliniates the lawn from the beds where a mixture of evergreen and deciduous plants create year-round interest. The overall result includes modern details and some sweeping curves that draw the eye up to the home from the street below Wiilam Wright Photography

Urban Meadow

The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design

A boring front lawn transformed into an explosion of color with drought tolerant perennials and grasses and an Idaho Fescue lawn. Warm, welcoming entry in this Urban garden. Timber retaining walls, stone path and patio and metal arbor create interest.

Residential Tuxedo Park

Karen Arent Landscape Architects

Design ideas for a large arts and crafts backyard partial sun outdoor sport court in New York with a retaining wall.

Modern carpentry - hot tub enclosure

Horvath Landscapes

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

Terraced Patios & Planting Beds

Sundance Landscaping Limited

A walk to the back passes border beds and raised planting beds.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard garden in Calgary with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Landscape

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in San Francisco with a retaining wall and decking.

Terraced front garden

Mierop Design, FAPLD

Lisa Mierop
This is an example of a large traditional backyard full sun garden for spring in New York with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Entrances, Fences & Gates

Maher & Greenwald Fine Gardens

Design ideas for a large traditional front yard driveway in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Montpelier Resident

Definity Landscape Group, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun garden for summer in Richmond with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Flatirons Terrace

TLC Gardens

Photo of a large traditional front yard garden in Denver with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Serene Retreat

The Ardent Gardener Landscape Design

Extensive stack stone walls reclaim a steep slope and made for a visually appealing area that becomes very useable. Photo: The Ardent Gardener Landscape

Small Front Yard Upgrade

Reyes Landscape Construction

New front yard landscape with terraced stone walls, boulders, plantings and concrete walkway
Inspiration for a small modern front yard full sun garden for summer in San Francisco with a retaining wall and mulch.

An estate properties front yard makeover

Melanie Rekola Landscape Design

This lovely estate property boasts a large and focal front entrance and road entry design in balance with the expansive home. The free form driveway inlay breaks up the large front yard drive/ patio space and adds a focal point. Large retained gardens with trees further ground the home. The roadside entry has 2 large address stones and drought tolerant gardens to welcome both residence and visitors alike. This amazing project won 2 "Awards of Excellence" from both Landscape Ontario and Unilock Life in 2010-2011. Landscape design and photopraphy by Melanie Rekola

San Francisco designer showcase

User

Designer event- Annual San Francisco designer showcase. *Design director- Chris Jacobson *Landscape contractor- Garden Route *Metal vine screens on terrace-Greenscreen *Roof planters-Planter Technology *Metallic planters- International Art Properties, Inc *Terrace furniture- Henry Hall Designs *Cast bronze terrace railings- Roger W. Stoller *Bronze gate, hand rail, pelican sculpture- W.J. Sorich Metalsmith *Metal sculpture bench- William Wareham *Photo- Chris Jacobson, GardenArt group

various projects

DFW Ponds Inc.

Design ideas for an expansive traditional backyard full sun garden in Dallas with with pond and natural stone pavers.

Walnut Creek Hills residence

Catherine L Kauer, Kauerdesign.com

Catherine L Kauer
Design ideas for a large modern sloped partial sun garden in San Francisco with a retaining wall.

westlake S house

Gathrid design

Inspiration for a large modern front yard full sun driveway in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Mediterranean Garden

Hawkeye Landscape Design

We began this project with the idea of making a friendly entryway and social area under the Mulberry tree which provides much needed shade in this hot, mountainous area. The 'red fescue' meadow grass has a cooling effect and the agaves reduce the need for excess water and maintenance. The backyard has a covered dining area with a corner lounge and fireplace. The large barbecue offers a cantilevered counter for entertaining. The waterfall into the pool is surrounded with bamboo and plantings that emulate the hillside beyond the property. The permeable paving and mix of Vitex and Olive trees provide shade for smaller seating areas to enjoy the variety of succulents throughout the garden

Zen Contemporary Ranch Home

On Site Landscape

Mid-sized contemporary front yard partial sun garden in Phoenix with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Traditional Elegance

Western DuPage Landscaping, Inc.

Since the completion of the home our company has maintained this property. Originally built by a local builder as a speculation home, it was purchased by two busy professionals. Why is this important? Let's just say the clients are particular and like it when things aren't just so. Both have high level careers, travel often and expect their landscape to be pristine. Year after year our company rises to this challenge. When originally installed, the builder wanted larger plant material to provide a full and mature look. The continued growth provides a pruning challenge, especially when the client prefers a clean, neat and "compact" landscape. We continually monitor growth and hand prune accordingly, including yearly winter pruning. The backyard is particularly difficult due to the shade, moisture run-off from neighboring properties. The turf requires constant monitoring and adjustment to the irrigation system. The trees create a mess requiring clean up along with yearly power washing of the stone. While the challenges are many, the fine maintenance has led to happy clients and numerous referrals.

Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall and with Pond

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.