Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun formal garden for spring in New York with a retaining wall and mulch.

Maple Grove Staircase

Archer Creek Landscaping LLC

Inspiration for a large contemporary front yard partial sun garden in Chicago with a retaining wall.

Coastal Vacation Home Orleans Massachusetts

Kimberly Mercurio Landscape Architecture

This contemporary home is located on Cape Cod in Orleans Massachusetts. The landscape design features a bluestone walkway, River Birch, granite retaining wall, an Ipe deck and an ocean view. The home was a complete renovation designed in a modern style. It's open floor plan and large floor to ceiling windows provide an unencumbered view of the natural surroundings.

Glebe

sticks and stones Landscape Design

Small tropical backyard partial sun formal garden in Sydney with a retaining wall and decking for summer.

Artificial Turf for Active Dogs

PlushGrass Custom Synthetic Turf

Artificial grass requires no mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Dog urine won't stain or discolor the artificial grass. Clean ups on artificial grass are easier than on natural grass. If you're tired of re-sodding year after year due to your dogs then consider an artificial grass dog run from PlushGrass. Additionally, your dog(s) won't track dust or mud into the house with an artificial lawn or dog run area.

Lake Cottage Landscape

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

A small space was reimagined for clients on Lake Washington by Landscape Architect Mark S. Garff. In this photo a gabion basket wall holds back the steep slope, creating a flat garden area for viewing. A new horizontal board fence adds privacy and creates an intimate seating area at the water's edge. Photos by Mark S. Garff.

Modern Pool House for Sloped Site

Wyant Architecture

Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro
This is an example of a contemporary sloped partial sun garden for summer in Philadelphia with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

A Texan in New England

Gilmore Landscape Architecture

Robert Gilmore
Large contemporary backyard partial sun garden in Boston with a retaining wall and gravel for summer.

Genoa Bay, BC - Retaining Wall & Fence

Island Pacific Landscaping

A West Coast style seaside backyard featuring a rock retaining wall and nautical rope fencing.
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style backyard partial sun garden in Vancouver with a retaining wall.

Stone Masonry Walls (decorative) and Landscape Art Feature

Reyes Landscape Construction

This project consisted of stone masonry decorative walls at the front of the estate leading to the gated entry, where we also installed a decorative stone elements.

Cunningham Pond Residence

Larkspur Design

Seana Cullinan
Mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun garden in Manchester with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall for summer.

Nantahala Lake Residence

Altura Architects

Samsel Architects This Greene & Greene inspired arts and crafts home incorporates the talents of many local artisans, with features that include custom-made tile, built-ins, one of a kind furnishings, and custom cabinetry. The house is thoughtfully nestled into the hillside overlooking Nantahala Lake with native landscaping carefully integrated with the house.

Wonderland Lake Terrace Garden

Native Edge Landscapes

Photo of a mid-sized transitional backyard partial sun formal garden for summer in Denver with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

New Brighton Backyard

Arvold Landscaping & Design inc.

Backyard stairs and pathway. built with Dresser trap boulders and reclaimed granite curbing used as stairs.
This is an example of a large country sloped partial sun garden for summer in Minneapolis with a retaining wall.

Thin Stone Veneer

Creative Masonry & Landscape of Cape Cod

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front yard partial sun garden in Boston with a retaining wall and mulch.

Hudson River house

Fernau & Hartman Architects

Photograph © Richard Barnes
Large modern backyard partial sun formal garden in New York with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers for summer.

Olivenhain Cottage

DZN Partners

The rear patio with integrated steps up to the grass play area. Photo: Marisa Smith
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun garden for summer in San Diego with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Genoa Bay, BC - Retaining Wall & Fence

Island Pacific Landscaping

A West Coast style seaside backyard featuring a rock retaining wall and nautical rope fencing.
Mid-sized beach style backyard partial sun garden in Vancouver with a retaining wall.

Nasseth Residence

KHLA, LLC

KHLA
Inspiration for a large transitional sloped partial sun xeriscape for summer in Denver with a retaining wall and gravel.

Rustic Montana Barn

Penny Lane Home Builders, LLC

Photos by Lynn Donaldson * Ghostwood Siding in 'Silver City' * Red Aluminium Windows *Native Landscaping with lichen-covered boulders and local Cottonwood trees * Custom overlaid garage doors * Weathered Copper Metal Roof * Bonderized Metal Siding in back of the house

Partial Sun Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall

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.