Inspiration for a modern side yard shaded garden for summer in Seattle with concrete pavers.

Japanese Garden Front Entrance Stepping Stone Walkway in Manalapan, Florida

This Japanese garden front entrance stepping stone walkway, using black slate is installed by Waterfalls Fountains & Gardens Inc. in Manalapan, Florida. Planting Design Akiko Iwata Planting Installation by Landco

Windsor Companies

The entire grounds of this Lake Minnetonka home was renovated as part of a major home remodel. The orientation of the entrance was improved to better align automobile traffic. The new permeable driveway is built of recycled clay bricks placed on gravel. The remainder of the front yard is organized by soft lawn spaces and large Birch trees. The entrance to the home is accentuated by masses of annual flowers that frame the bluestone steps. On the lake side of the home a secluded, private patio offers refuge from the more publicly viewed backyard. This project earned Windsor Companies a Grand Honor award and Judge's Choice by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association. Photos by Paul Crosby.

Georgian revival

Western DuPage Landscaping, Inc.

The goal of this project was to provide a lush and vast garden for the new owners of this recently remodeled brick Georgian. Located in Wheaton this acre plus property is surrounded by beautiful Oaks. Preserving the Oaks became a particular challenge with the ample front walk and generous entertaining spaces the client desired. Under most of the Oaks the turf was in very poor condition, and most of the property was covered with undesirable overgrown underbrush such as Garlic Mustard weed and Buckthorn. With a recently completed addition, the garages were pushed farther from the front door leaving a large distance between the drive and entry to the home. This prompted the addition of a secondary door off the kitchen. A meandering walk curves past the secondary entry and leads guests through the front garden to the main entry. Off the secondary door a “kitchen patio” complete with a custom gate and Green Mountain Boxwood hedge give the clients a quaint space to enjoy a morning cup of joe. Stepping stone pathways lead around the home and weave through multiple pocket gardens within the vast backyard. The paths extend deep into the property leading to individual and unique gardens with a variety of plantings that are tied together with rustic stonewalls and sinuous turf areas. Closer to the home a large paver patio opens up to the backyard gardens. New stoops were constructed and existing stoops were covered in bluestone and mortared stonewalls were added, complimenting the classic Georgian architecture. The completed project accomplished all the goals of creating a lush and vast garden that fit the remodeled home and lifestyle of its new owners. Through careful planning, all mature Oaks were preserved, undesirables removed and numerous new plantings along with detailed stonework helped to define the new landscape.

Deerfield Residence Landscape Design

Arrow. Land + Structures

Designed by: Marco Romani, RLA. Landscape Architect -- construction by: arrow
Traditional backyard shaded garden in Chicago with natural stone pavers.

Suburban Oasis

Princeton Design Collaborative

Jeffrey Edward Tryon
Photo of a small contemporary courtyard shaded formal garden for summer in Philadelphia with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Sun Drenched to Shady Oasis

FormLA Landscaping

Whether or not the fire is lit, it is a favorite foliage-wrapped retreat for reading and morning coffee.
Large contemporary backyard shaded xeriscape in Los Angeles with with flowerbed, mulch and a wood fence for spring.

Bluestone patio grid

Dorthy Pautz Landscape Architect

This small patio a few steps down from the ipe deck is framed by new raised planters which preserved existing mature ficus vines on the existing stucco wall at the property line. Baby's tears between the stones soften and green up the space.

Contemporary Shade Garden - Mequon

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

The shade garden demonstrates the importance of mixing foliage size and shape since the predominant color is green. Renn Kuhnen Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary front yard shaded xeriscape for summer in Milwaukee.

Native woodland garden

Native By Design Landscapes

California native woodland garden.
Large contemporary sloped shaded xeriscape in Los Angeles with a garden path for fall.

Updating the Existing

Marilyn's Dreamscapes L.L.C.

This is an example of a traditional shaded garden in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Sunnyvale Front Yard Renovation

The Foxy Garden

D. Visser, A. Newell
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional front yard shaded garden in San Francisco with gravel.

Walkways

Accent Landscapes

Flagstone slabs create a winding path through dense plantings.
Photo of a large eclectic backyard shaded xeriscape for fall in Denver with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Highland Park Backyard Oasis

ILT Vignocchi

A meandering path provides access to the front of the residence. This path is protected by weeping Hemlocks and the steppers are surrounded by thyme.

Milton Residence

a Blade of Grass

Photo by Pete Cadieux
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional side yard shaded garden in Boston with natural stone pavers.

Bayside Zen Garden | Bayside, WI

LandCrafters, LLC

The north side yard is less actively used, but it does have a very inviting quality to it. The double gates allow a piece of equipment to access the back for heavy work. The same irregular bluestone is the pathway. Huge aqua blue boulders were placed at the corner of the house

West University

Helms Landscape Design, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized modern front yard shaded xeriscape for summer in Houston with mulch.

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.

Backyard Basketball Courts

Sport Court St. Louis

You want the best for your family, but no family is just like the other. We have an extensive range of customizable features that will make your backyard court or home gym unlike any other.

Good Garden's Own Backyard

Good Gardens LLC

This is an example of a large transitional backyard shaded garden in New York with a vegetable garden and mulch.

Green Shaded Garden Design Ideas

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.