This is an example of a small contemporary backyard garden in London with a fire feature, river rock and a wood fence.

Sunol Landscape

Huettl Landscape Architecture

Photo of a modern xeriscape in San Francisco with river rock.

Kirkland Charmer

Land2c Landscape Architecture

Land2c Some favorite hydrangeas and climbing roses flank a pathway. Groundcover surrounds the stepping stones with lavender and variegated hostas filling in along the curvy path to the rear garden. Many summer bouquets for filling vases are grown here!

A plant lovers' Coastal Retreat

Colin Cooney Designs

Colourful planting displays in this coastal garden design on the Wild Atlantic Way
Inspiration for a large country front yard full sun garden for summer in Other with river rock and a stone fence.

Golf Course

Blooming Vistas

Gorgeous modern landscape with clean lines and exquisite detail.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern front yard full sun xeriscape in Dallas with with rock feature, river rock and a wood fence.

Backyard Landscaping, Hardscapes, Xeriscapes, Austin, TX

YardDoc

This picture is another example of Xeriscape landscaping and gardening. This photo shows how we used two different types of river rock to add interest and contrast. Curving designs are always a good choice in landscaping. They mimic nature and gently lead the eye along the entire landscape. The brick edging we installed also helps with this visual aspect. The large rocks serve two purposes. Firstly, they create a dramatic impact. Secondly, they give the landscape a three-dimensional quality. This helps to prevent the landscape from appearing ‘flat.’ The plants of varying heights and widths also help to achieve this.

Peterson Property

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design

water features, bubbler, flagstone hardscaping, rock garden, outdoor seating, outdoor living space
Inspiration for a traditional backyard garden in Portland with river rock.

Coastal Entry Garden

Sacred Garden NY LLC

Coastal Entry Garden
Inspiration for a small beach style front yard full sun xeriscape in New York with with path and river rock.

Piedmont Bed Designs

CHS Superior Landscaping

Garden bed that wraps around side of house with natural stone and plantings with brick edging.
Design ideas for a large modern side yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Other with with lawn edging and river rock.

Entry Walkway Uplift

Ohana Services

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional front yard full sun garden in Dallas with with path and river rock.

Stradella

Pasetta Studios

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with with rock feature, river rock and a metal fence.

Stairs To Seating Area Near Hot Tub

Big Rock Landscaping

These outdoor stairs lined with boulders and shrubs create a functional, beautiful spot.
This is an example of a contemporary sloped garden in Salt Lake City with with rock feature, river rock and a metal fence.

Modern Farmhouse

Brad Ramsey Interiors

Inspiration for a large country backyard full sun garden for spring in Nashville with a fire feature, river rock and a wood fence.

Patio 1

Glow & Grow LLC

Small modern front yard shaded xeriscape in Phoenix with river rock and with path.

Xeriscape Install With Dry Creek + Low Water Plantings

Yachats Yardscapes, LLC

This gorgeous landscape install was designed to minimize runoff into the client's driveway. We chose plants with low-water needs, beautiful + ethically-sourced river rock, and hand-selected landscape boulders for this property.

SwimPond - Cambridgeshire

Michael Wheat Group Ltd

Inspiration for a large full sun garden for summer in Cambridgeshire with with pond and river rock.

English Modernist in Santa Monica

Bosler Earth Design

Mid-sized contemporary backyard xeriscape in Los Angeles with decomposed granite.

Custom Letterbox + Blue Chalk Sticks

Moss Boss Studios

Our clients desired a unique creation with serious presence. A Dracaena Draco feature tree, sandstone boulders and custom letter box are just some of the elements which were brought together to fulfil the brief.

Bali Rainforest Waterfalls

California Waterscapes

Inspiration for a large asian backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Los Angeles with with pond and river rock.

Completed Backyard projects

DRC Landscaping LLC

This is an example of a desert look backyard full sun xeriscape in Las Vegas with river rock.

Garden Design Ideas with Decomposed Granite and River Rock

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.