Landscape contracting by Avid Landscape. Concrete by Concrete Dreams and Foundations. Photograph by Meghan Montgomery.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional front yard full sun garden in Seattle with a retaining wall.

Xeriscape Garden, Jungle Forest Garden, Vegetable Garden & Subtropical Garden

Roland Oehme Landscape Architecture

This is an urban single family home situated on a narrow lot that is about 1/8 of an acre and is only 2 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. I designed a completely new garden and installed everything along with the client’s help. The garden I designed consisted of an ornamental grass garden, a xeriscape garden with decomposed granite mounds, fruit trees and shrubs located throughout, a jungle forest garden, and raised brick vegetable beds in the rear. Previously, there was a wood deck covering almost the entire property that was removed by the owner. We installed root guard around all of the walkways. I installed the raised brick vegetable beds and walkways around the vegetable beds. Many of the plants were chosen to provide food and habitat for pollinators as well. Dozens of fruiting plants were located in the garden. So, it is called the “Garden of Eatin”. Landscape design and photo by Roland Oehme

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.

A Boulder Alternative

Mary Kirk Menefee, Landscape Designer

The boulder wall also becomes the bones of a lively garden. A mix of evergreens and perennials ensures year-round interest. Design by Mary Kirk Menefee; installation by Merrifield Garden Center. Photo: Mary Kirk Menefee

Traditional Landscape

Photo of a small traditional side yard shaded garden in St Louis with a retaining wall.

Natural Stone Mailbox

Breaking Ground

Photo Credit: Ryan Corrigan
Inspiration for a country backyard garden in Omaha with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Lake Cottage Landscape

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

A small space was reimagined for clients on Lake Washington by Landscape Architect Mark S. Garff. In this photo a gabion basket wall holds back the steep slope, creating a flat garden area for viewing. A new horizontal board fence adds privacy and creates an intimate seating area at the water's edge. Photos by Mark S. Garff.

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.

Olivenhain Cottage

DZN Partners

The rear patio with integrated steps up to the grass play area. Photo: Marisa Smith
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden for summer in San Diego with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Rustic Montana Barn

Penny Lane Home Builders, LLC

Photos by Lynn Donaldson * Ghostwood Siding in 'Silver City' * Red Aluminium Windows *Native Landscaping with lichen-covered boulders and local Cottonwood trees * Custom overlaid garage doors * Weathered Copper Metal Roof * Bonderized Metal Siding in back of the house

Moraga Country Club Small Frontyard

Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.

Steve Lambert,Winner Beautification Award for Small Landscape Design - Build Small Country-club Project, with courtyard deck, low maintenance, Bitter root walls,

West Melbourne Landscape Design

Hortus Landscaping

Plant selection in this area reflects it's partly shaded conditions.
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style front yard partial sun garden in Orlando with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Backyard Retaining Wall

Premier Lawncare & Landscape, LLC

This is just another photo of the stair section. These stairs are "rounded", there are many different ways to construct stairs.
Small modern backyard partial sun garden in Grand Rapids with a retaining wall.

May 2014- LED Upgrade

Lite4 Outdoor Lighting

This project was an LED upgrade and repair to an older, existing outdoor lighting system that was in not working. Many of the lighting wires had been cut and a good many of the fixtures needed to be relocated due to the more mature landscape. The system was cleaned, repaired and the old halogen lamps were replaced with high quality, energy efficient, LED lamps. This fortunate homeowner will now get to enjoy night after night of flawless light around the garden and pool spaces, and not have to worry about changing a bulb on this current system ever again. Photo by : Tim Ryan- Lite4 Outdoor Lighting

Edible Gardens Etc.

PermaScapes Unlimited Inc

Terraces
Mid-sized eclectic side yard full sun garden in Denver with a retaining wall for fall.

Dry Stack Wall Feature at Front Entrance

Little Landscapes

A throw back to a traditional method for a modern, clean look. This front entrance was transformed with a stunning natural stone dry-stack wall planter set up.

Gravity Wall - Dry Stack Stones

Reyes Landscape Construction

These are large boulders that were located around the property, They were dug up during the foundation excavation for a new house, the owner asked us to dry stack them for privacy. Sonoma Valley covered in fog in the background.

Rustic Terraced Garden

Green & Gorgeous

Existing rustic features were retained and renovated, a brick circle provides a seating area and sun trap.
Inspiration for a mid-sized country backyard garden in Other with a retaining wall and brick pavers.

Ranch Redux

Uccello Development, LLC

The cottage style exterior of this newly remodeled ranch in Connecticut, belies its transitional interior design. The exterior of the home features wood shingle siding along with pvc trim work, a gently flared beltline separates the main level from the walk out lower level at the rear. Also on the rear of the house where the addition is most prominent there is a cozy deck, with maintenance free cable railings, a quaint gravel patio, and a garden shed with its own patio and fire pit gathering area.

Capra 2016

Glacier View Landscape & Design, Inc.

Dave White
This is an example of a small traditional courtyard full sun xeriscape in Denver with a retaining wall.

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.