Allen Haren
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun formal garden in Los Angeles with a vegetable garden and gravel.

San Jose - Bocce Court Backyard Design + Installation

Natural Bridges Landscaping

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun outdoor sport court in San Francisco with gravel.

Traditional Landscape

Photo of a large traditional front yard full sun xeriscape in Albuquerque with gravel.

Aluminum Fences

Dakota Unlimited

Aluminum commercial fence - designed & installed by Dakota Unlimited.
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard full sun garden in Minneapolis with gravel.

Raised Bed Vegetable Gardens

User

Raised cedar beds along the Sakonnet River, surrounded by in-ground planting beds, enclosed by a perennial border. A blueberry hedge buffers coastal breezes, while a gravel sitting area offers water views from within the garden. Jeremy Brodeur

Classic Parterre

The Plant Hunter

A traditional design using lots of informal planting in a structured parterre
Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun formal garden for spring in Surrey with with flowerbed and gravel.

Container Gardens

Table2Garden

Mid-sized traditional backyard garden in Other with a container garden and gravel.

Holladay Residence

Clayton Vance Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional side yard full sun garden in Salt Lake City with a retaining wall and gravel.

Clearwater Residence Oakadia Lane

SilverSun Landscapes

Timothy Reed
Mid-sized traditional side yard full sun formal garden in Tampa with a retaining wall and gravel for summer.

Riverbeds

EcoScapes Landscaping

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun xeriscape in Albuquerque with gravel.

Intimate Garden Path

User

Pam August
Inspiration for a traditional garden in Houston with a garden path and gravel.

Driveway, Front Yard and Backyard Landscaping

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions
This is an example of a large traditional front yard full sun driveway in New York with a garden path and gravel.

Out of the Ashes

Apple Tree Landscapes, Inc.

This is an example of a large traditional backyard partial sun garden in New York with a garden path and gravel.

Wood Fence and Gates

Custom Security Fence & Iron Works, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun driveway for spring in Houston with gravel.

Landscape Designs

WaterQuest Landscaping

Large and desert look traditional backyard full sun xeriscape in Albuquerque with gravel for summer.

Japanese Garden: pea stone walk and gardens.

Andrew Zema's Landscaping, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard formal garden in Boston with a water feature and gravel.

Trex Fences

Split Rail Fence Co Denver CO

Mid-sized traditional backyard full sun garden in Denver with a garden path and gravel for fall.

Montecito Meadows Koi Pond

Geared for Growing Landscape Services

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in San Francisco with a garden path and gravel.

Mature Landscape

Fredell Enterprises, Inc.

Fredell Enterprises installed this landscape over 15 years ago. The hardscape has held up well and the plantings have thrived. Photo by Brian Johannsen

Water Features & Ponds

Lyons Landscaping

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

Traditional Garden Design Ideas with Gravel

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.