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.

Garten in Würzburg

Droll & Lauenstein

Martin Staffler, Gartenfotografie
Photo of a large traditional sloped full sun formal garden in Nuremberg with a garden path and gravel.

Los Altos Hills

Jenna Bayer Garden Design, Inc.

Photo of a large arts and crafts backyard formal garden in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel.

A Stately Home

Wiedemann Architects LLC

Photos © Anice HoachlanderOur client was drawn to the property in Wesley Heights as it was in an established neighborhood of stately homes, on a quiet street with views of park. They wanted a traditional home for their young family with great entertaining spaces that took full advantage of the site. The site was the challenge. The natural grade of the site was far from traditional. The natural grade at the rear of the property was about thirty feet above the street level. Large mature trees provided shade and needed to be preserved. The solution was sectional. The first floor level was elevated from the street by 12 feet, with French doors facing the park. We created a courtyard at the first floor level that provide an outdoor entertaining space, with French doors that open the home to the courtyard.. By elevating the first floor level, we were able to allow on-grade parking and a private direct entrance to the lower level pub "Mulligans". An arched passage affords access to the courtyard from a shared driveway with the neighboring homes, while the stone fountain provides a focus. A sweeping stone stair anchors one of the existing mature trees that was preserved and leads to the elevated rear garden. The second floor master suite opens to a sitting porch at the level of the upper garden, providing the third level of outdoor space that can be used for the children to play. The home's traditional language is in context with its neighbors, while the design allows each of the three primary levels of the home to relate directly to the outside. Builder: Peterson & Collins, Inc Photos © Anice Hoachlander

Landscaping Highlights

Sisson Landscapes

Framing a contemporary fountain with a boxwood parterre.
Photo of a large traditional front yard full sun formal garden in DC Metro with a garden path and gravel.

ActiveYards Vinyl Fence

Harrison Fence

Aspen
Design ideas for a large traditional backyard full sun formal garden for spring in Raleigh with mulch and a vinyl fence.

Loma Mariposa Vista Views from the Arbor

Trillium Enterprises, INC.

Enjoy the views from the custom raised arbor overlooking the mountains.
Design ideas for a large mediterranean front yard full sun formal garden in Santa Barbara with natural stone pavers.

Bedminster NJ

The Todd Group

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard formal garden in New York with a container garden.

waterblade and green wall Bloom 2010

Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design

Water blade feature in the Rainforest Concept Garden by Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design Amazonlandscaping.ie 014060004
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Dublin with a vertical garden, natural stone pavers and a stone fence.

LaurelRock Company: High Meadow Farm

LaurelRock

Neil Landino. Design Credit: Stephen Stimson Associates
Design ideas for a large contemporary sloped full sun formal garden in New York with concrete pavers and with lawn edging.

Classic Courtyard

Linden L.A.N.D. Group

Rebecca Lindenmeyr
Photo of a large country backyard full sun formal garden in Burlington with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Farmhouse Landscape

Photo of a large country backyard formal garden in Atlanta with brick pavers.

Memorial - Spring Valley

Designs By Elizabeth

This newly constructed Memorial Home in the prestigious Spring Valley is the perfect spot for our clients to build new roots. The Sample Family were raised in New Orleans and wanted to bring a bit of the French Market to their new residence. As they love to entertain, we set out to add extra living space with an outdoor kitchen, pergola and rich travertine patio. In addition, a seated Bench is the perfect low divider to frame our custom fountain space.

Camelback Royal View

Hendricks Construction

Inspiration for a large mediterranean front yard partial sun formal garden in Phoenix with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Misc. Projects

Studio 342 Landscape Architecture

Photo of a large traditional backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Seattle with natural stone pavers and with raised garden bed.

Silver Elk Estate

Designs by Sundown

Photo of a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in Denver with natural stone pavers.

Burns Avenue

Stride Studios

William Ripley, APLD
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in Cincinnati with gravel and a garden path.

Berry Residence

Acadia Landscape Company

Large traditional backyard shaded formal garden in Other with natural stone pavers and with rock feature.

Redmond Residence - Form + Function = Zen

Kim Rooney Design

Landscape by Kim Rooney
Large modern backyard partial sun formal garden in Seattle with a water feature and concrete pavers.

An East Bay Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

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.