Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard shaded formal garden for summer in Portland with mulch.

This Parisian influenced garden features a swimming pool, gas lanterns, trimmed hedges, and custom paving integrated with synthetic grass. Along the back of the pool, a nine foot tall focal wall showcases water curtains, glass mosaic tile, gas lanterns, and decorative pottery. Inside the covered patio, an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and multiple seating areas were added for entertaining.

Backyard Spaces

JPM Landscape

Landscape and design by Jpm Landscape
Mid-sized traditional backyard garden in San Francisco with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

bluestone walk with raised walls

Q Design Group LLC

v.q.
Mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun garden in Other with natural stone pavers.

Plantings

Ruffolo Inc

Photo of a mid-sized traditional side yard full sun formal garden for spring in Chicago with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Cedar Fence & Gate with copper pipe

Donna Giguere, APLD Landscape Design

An Asian Style entry courtyard draws inspiration from the 1980's home's Asian Style roof-line and the owner's crane sculptures. Donna Giguere Landscape Design

McClelland Avenue Bungalow Colorful Water Wise Yard

Laughlin Design Associates, Inc.

This lovely, lush front yard is a collection of drought tolerant perennials and ornamental grass. The small lawn is drought tolerant grass. Note the small 'Baby Blue Eyes' spruce tree in the back by the north west corner of the house. Rick Laughlin, APLD

Brookline Brownstone

a Blade of Grass

The formal rectangular lawn anchors the viewing garden, with colorful planting accents and the pergola as a focal point and sitting area.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden for summer in Boston with natural stone pavers.

Private Residence - Fountain -1

Ehrich & Ehrich Construction LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun formal garden in New York with a water feature and mulch.

Pretty Organic Vegetable Garden in front yard!

Home & Garden Design, Atlanta - Danna Cain, ASLA

A pretty, organic vegetable garden in the front yard. The 4 raised stone beds separated by mulched paths is called a parterre garden. Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Curved Stone Retaining Wall

Hughes Landscaping

Curved stone retaining wall and plantings. Photo Credit: Joe Schaeffer
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden in DC Metro with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Garden gate path to side yard

Kim Rooney Design

Landscape by Kim Rooney
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional side yard partial sun formal garden in Seattle with a garden path and gravel.

Traditional Curved Front Walk - Germantown, WI

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' casts dramatic shadows across the curved front walk. Westhauser Photography
Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun garden for summer in Milwaukee with concrete pavers and with path.

Wilmington Estate Landscape

Wallace Landscape Associates

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in Philadelphia with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

David and Terri's backyard

Landscape East & West

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard garden in Portland with natural stone pavers.

Spring Tulips and Trellis Design

User

A small entry garden for a historic home over looking the scenic Hudson River. A white trellis screens the street. Brick and blue stone were used for the walkway. A blend of tulips were used for some striking spring color. This front yard entry garden is located in Palisades, NY. Landscape design and installation services in the New Jersey and New York areas. 845-590-7306

Evanston Private Residence

Kim Rooney Design

Landscape by Kim Rooney
Mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Chicago with natural stone pavers.

Yarrow Garden

Paul Moon Design

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden in Seattle with a water feature and gravel.

Rear Garden Terenure

Greenseed Landscapes

Client asked for a large lawn area for children and evergreen hedging ( Portugese Laurel ) for privacy. We installed a compact patio in a very sunny corner of the garden. This was always designed to be a low maintenance garden.

Formal Front Entrance Project – Vineland

LandArt

Slate grey Banas flagstone walkway laid in herringbone pattern, decorative brick pillars, Flamboro dark armourstone placements, and gardens.
Photo of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun formal garden in Toronto with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Mid-sized Traditional Garden Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Traditional 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 traditional 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 Traditional Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.