This is an example of a large traditional front yard partial sun formal garden in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Lueders Stone Front Walkway

Eden Garden Design

Custom-cut lueders limestone front walkway and a lawn area of fine-textured ‘Cavalier’ zoysia grass, defined with custom steel edging. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Grow zone wider view from patio - built

Metamorphic Design

Raised planter boxes arranged to maximize light and micro climate conditions
Photo of a large country backyard full sun formal garden in Vancouver with a vegetable garden and gravel.

Sunken Modern Garden

Chris Snook

Photo of a large contemporary formal garden in London with natural stone pavers.

Enclosed vegetable garden

Landsburg Landscape Nursery

Photo of a large country side yard full sun formal garden for summer in Minneapolis with a vegetable garden, mulch and a wood fence.

Paleface Ranch

Van Wicklen Design

Large country backyard full sun formal garden in Austin with a container garden and mulch.

Homefront Farmers Projects

Homefront Farmers

Split rail or post and rail fencing is a great option when you want to add a touch of rustic charm to your yard. We have a system that incorporates long-lasting cedar fencing, durable, attractive galvanized "cage mesh," below ground pest barrier, and raised beds filled with balanced organic soil. Beautiful, protected, and productive--that's our idea of a great garden.

Outdoor Structures

Elise Landscapes & Nursery, LLC

Large traditional backyard formal garden in New York with natural stone pavers and a garden path.

English Jewel Box

Mariani Landscape

A view through the garden rooms, a gravel path leads through to the many spaces. The path is lined with cushwa brick outlining the spaces. Terra cotta containers are filled with boxwood and petunia; pachysandra and bugleweed ground cover fill the flanking and center beds. A cast iron bench offers an opportunity to sit and enjoy the space, with the fountain creating a pleasant sound. The wall is graced with two standard form lilacs. Photo Credit: Linda Oyama Bryan

Garden of Two Halves

Bestall & Co Landscape Design

Lee Bestall
Inspiration for a large country backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Other with natural stone pavers.

Cold Springs Road Montecito Mediterranean Landscape

Natural Concepts Landscaping Contractors

A stone fountain welcomes visitors who travel through natural stone paved patio and steps to the home's main entrance
Design ideas for a large mediterranean full sun formal garden in Santa Barbara with natural stone pavers and a water feature.

Santa Fe Retreat

Overland Partners Architecture + Urban Design

Copyright © 2009 Robert Reck. All Rights Reserved.
This is an example of a large front yard full sun formal garden in Albuquerque with a water feature and gravel.

Redbrick Roseville

Oliver Design Associates

Large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in New York.

Mid Century Modern

Beaudry Garden Design

This is an example of a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for spring in San Diego with a container garden and gravel.

Witherspoon Rose Garden

Witherspoon Rose Culture

A stunning rose garden in a free form shaped bed makes an excellent focal point in this yard. The brick path surrounding allows for the garden to be enjoyed from all sides. Rose Garden planted and maintained by Witherspoon Rose Culture.

Upperville Estate

River's Edge Landscapes

Photo of a large backyard full sun formal garden in DC Metro with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Ted's Biodynamic Garden

Ted Carter Inspired Landscapes

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Portland Maine with a vegetable garden and mulch.

Historic Evanston Retreat

Greenwise Organic Lawn Care and Landscape Design

Bluestone paths traverse the property, unifying outdoor rooms and directing flow from one space to the next. Photo: Linda Oyama Bryan
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in Chicago with natural stone pavers and with fireplace.

Lush English Garden

Terra Design

A series of three obelisks give structure to lush plantings of daylilies, clematis, dahlias, roses and hardy geranium. Photo by David E. Perry
Photo of a large traditional backyard formal garden in Seattle with brick pavers.

Highgate Garden

London Garden Designer

The clients of this Highgate Garden contacted London Garden Designer in Dec 2011, after seeing some of my work in House and Garden Magazine. They had recently moved into the house and were keen to have the garden ready for summer. The brief was fairly open, although one specific request was for a Garden Lodge to be used as a Gym and art room. This was something that would require planning permission so I set this in motion whilst I got on with designing the rest of the garden. The ground floor of the house opened out onto a deck that was one metre from the lawn level, and felt quite exposed to the surrounding neighbours. The garden also sloped across its width by about 1.5 m, so I needed to incorporate this into the design.

Large Formal 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.