Steel wall combination
Large modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Diego with a container garden and concrete pavers for summer.

Closeup of stone tree ring planter and patio stone

Mutual Materials

The stone patio was built around protecting and a prominent backyard feature tree. A stone tree ring made with Mutual Materials Roman Stack® retaining wall blocks, and wide enough to include natural greenery plantings to create a natural foundational feature. Keeping the same color palette for stone, the Summit Blend color was chosen for the RomanStackstone, to color coordinate with the Summit Blend color of the Columbia Slate patio stone.

Transitional Patio

C&H Landscaping

This is an example of a large mediterranean backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Denver with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Delaunay Garden

Amy Martin Landscape Design

Location: Cohasset, MA, US These clients wanted a landscape that had a sense of flow, of unfolding, of mysteries revealed. They love art and were open to ideas beyond the traditional themes, and so the swirls and circles of artist Sonia Delaunay, became the inspiration for this gorgeous coastal property in Cohasset, MA. This garden was inspired by the art of Sonia Delaunay. Along the entire length of the house we made a sweeping serpentine stone wall that swerves around like a great dragon tail. In front of it are deep beds filled with Euphorbia, Lavender, Geranium, Coreopsis, Salvia, and Hakonechloa grass. They sing with blues, purples and yellows, the homeowners’ favorite colors. The entrance to the house meanders up this curving stone staircase, where surrounding plants act as a threshold one passes through before entering the more open space at the top.

Spring and Summer Container Design

The Crafted Garden

Meyer Lemon, Lantana, Lysmachia
This is an example of a large traditional garden for summer in New York with a container garden.

Landscape Design

Dominion Interiors & Design LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Austin with concrete pavers and a water feature.

Fountainscape in Saline, MI

Poseidon Ponds & Landscaping

We turned this old mill stone into a water feature and bird bath for one of our customers. We placed it just outside their living room window so they can enjoy the noise of the water and watch the birds play in the water.

Remsenberg Koi Pond

AH Ponds, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in New York with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Magnolia Residence- Hillside Renovation

Kim Rooney Design

Hillside Garden Designed by Kim Rooney Landscape architect, located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle Washington. This photo was taken by Eva Blanchard Photography.

Magnolia Residence- Hillside Renovation

Kim Rooney Design

Hillside Garden Designed by Kim Rooney Landscape architect, located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle Washington. This photo was taken by Eva Blanchard Photography.

Naturalistic pond with waterfall

GROUNDS KEEPER

Natural ecosystem pond and waterfall with grasses, water lilies and other aquatic plants.
This is an example of a large country backyard garden for spring in New York with a water feature.

Modern Garden with a rustic twist

Yorkshire Gardens

Within this garden we wanted to create a space which was not only on numerous levels, but also had various points of interest. This garden is on a slope, but is also very wide. Firstly, we broke up the space by using rustic sleepers to create several raised beds,as well as steps which lead to differennt zones. This helps to give the garden a more traditional, country edge. The sleepers were also used to create a winding path through out the garden, marrying together the various areas. The path leads up to the impressive sunburst pergola and circular stone patio. This is the perfect spot to view the whole garden. At the other end of the garden another pergola sits amougnst a bustling flower bed, and will be used to train vining flowers. Along the back wall of the garden a raised bed is home to a stunning display of wildflower. This plot is not only a fabulous riot of colour and full of rustic charm, but it also attracts a whole host of insects and animals. While wildflowers looks great they are also very low maintenance. Mixed gravel has been used to create a variety of texture. This surface is intermittently dotted with colour with lemon thyme, red hot pokers and foxgloves. Stone has been used to create a warm and welcoming patio area. Flower beds at the front of the garden can be used for veg and other leafy plants. Overall we have created a country style with a very contemporary twist through the use of gravel, modern shape and structural landscaping.

UK Works

Nick Bennett's Garden Life

Very early days
This is an example of a mid-sized country backyard partial sun garden in Melbourne with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Water Features and Yard

Bu-Kai Design LLC

Poured concrete three tiered double spillway coated with a polyurea liner, filled with river rock and planted horsetail reeds. Cantilevered batu wood bench attached. D. Leonidas Photography

Secret Garden in Lawrence Park

Jennifer Hayman Design Group

JHDG
Mid-sized transitional backyard partial sun formal garden in Toronto with a water feature and gravel for summer.

Summer Livin'

AJ's Landscaping & Outdoor Construction

Photo of a mid-sized transitional backyard partial sun formal garden in San Francisco with a water feature and mulch.

Contemporary Home and Garden

Montecito Landscape

Lisa Cullen: This French stone fountain provides a beautiful focal point in the garden of contempory home. It is filled with drought tolerant perennials: agave, pittosporum tobira, nepeta, salvia mystic spires and dymondia

Ross

Wasson Nursery

Expansive country sloped garden in Indianapolis with a water feature for spring.

Spring Containers

Starbird Garden Services LLC

Hellebores 'Pink Frost' is a winter blooming plant that will hold blooms into Spring. A great plant in pots for adding winter interest and color in your garden. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Blue Surprise' narrow tree in background and blooming pink Solidarity Rhododendrons.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden 2

Chris Snook

Garden Design Ideas with a Water Feature and a Container Garden

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.