To anchor a modern house, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, Campion Walker brought in a mature oak grove that at first frames the home and then invites the visitor to explore the grounds including an intimate culinary garden and stone fruit orchard. The neglected hillside on the back of the property once overgrown with ivy was transformed into a California native oak woodland, with under-planting of ceanothus and manzanitas. We used recycled water to create a dramatic water feature cut directly into the limestone entranceway framed by a cacti and succulent garden.

Warrawee

Cadence and Co

This is an example of a traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Sydney with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Shadyside

The Outdoor Living Studio

Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Other with a water feature and gravel.

French Park

Creative Landscapes Detroit LLC

Ground cover by other
Design ideas for an expansive traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Detroit with brick pavers and a water feature.

Landscapes

Beach Bum Turf Co.

Large modern courtyard partial sun driveway in Tampa with a water feature and concrete pavers for summer.

Courtyard Garden

Hawkeye Landscape Design

Reinventing the frontyard with a welcoming Mesquite entryway gate. The courtyard walls allow for a water fountain, seating and planters. Permeable arizona flagstone with low water plants allow for minimal maintenance.

Water Feature

Arroyo Seco Construction

Design ideas for a small courtyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Santa Barbara with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Santos Residence

Altera Landscape

Photography: Jeri Koegel
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean side yard partial sun garden for summer in Orange County with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

California Spa Retreat from a No-Tell Motel Pool

Michael Norpell's Wall To Wall

Using the existing shell, we were able to transform the look and feel of the pool and its surroundings. Poured concrete, Trex decks, planters, and a fly-over bridge create an engaging space with intentional poolside social areas. Linda Oyama Bryan Photography

Typical Residential Projects

Richard P. Rauso, ASLA, Landscape Architects

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

Fountain Installation

Island Creek Landscape, Inc.

John Huneycutt Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary front yard full sun driveway for summer in Charlotte with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Vail Valley Retreat

ULFBUILT

Inspiration for a large country sloped partial sun formal garden for summer in Denver with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Natural spa and stream water feature with patio seating

SilverSun Landscapes

Chad Guinn
This is an example of a large country backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Tampa with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Entry Garden, Wrentham MA

Garden Tech Horticultural Services LLC

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun formal garden for summer in Boston with a water feature.

Louisiana Elegance

Gurley's Azalea Garden

Gurley's Azalea Garden
Design ideas for a large traditional side yard partial sun garden for summer in Nashville with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Frame For A Garden

Garden Structures & More

P.S. In the photos at the beginning of this tour you will not see this fountain it was added later.
This is an example of a small asian side yard partial sun formal garden for summer in Minneapolis with a water feature and gravel.

Entry courtyard

Lankford Associates Landscape Architects

A old watering trough from the site was used as a water feature within the courtyard. Low maintenance plantings and traditional gravel pathways with paver edging flank the stone entry and are surrounded by low lath screen fences to formalize the space. This farmstead is located in the Northwest corner of Washington State. Photo by Ian Gleadle

Shadyside

The Outdoor Living Studio

Photo of a small contemporary backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Other with a water feature and gravel.

Shady Chic

User

Maria Papoutsis
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard shaded formal garden for summer in Other with a water feature and gravel.

Sculpture House Oakland

Dodie Shoemaker

California living indoor outdoor modern yard
Photo of a small modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in San Francisco with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Garden Design Ideas with a Water Feature 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.