Mid-sized traditional backyard full sun xeriscape in Denver with natural stone pavers for summer.

Residential Traditional - Scottsdale, AZ

Greey Pickett

Photo of a large traditional front yard partial sun xeriscape for spring in Phoenix with a garden path.

Terraced Retaining Wall

The Sculpted Earth

Terraced Retaining Wall of AllenBlock Europa Series with low voltage landscape lighting and new plantings.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Seattle with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Ross, CA Backyard Redesigned to Replace the Lawn and Leaky Pool

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Completed the Summer/Fall of 2020, this Ross, CA back landscape was re-imagined to remove the leaking pool and replace the water-thirsty/tired lawn. The result is a beautiful landscape with more usable and functional areas for outdoor living and enjoyment. Filled with an abundance of diverse, lower-water plants and enhancements. A feast for the eyes and senses for the homeowners to enjoy throughout the seasons, that also welcomes the birds, bees and butterflies. We replaced and expanded the patio outside the home's sliding doors to provide more space for dining and entertaining. Full-range bluestone was selected for its warm and cool tones for the patio, stairs and the long curvaceous pathway that leads to a smaller patio. Shaded by the majestic oak tree, this patio at the back of the property is another welcoming destination for peaceful relaxation. It is boarded by a stone seat wall constructed with "Rocky Mountain Gold Glacier" natural stone that provides additional seating, functionality and compliments the bluestone beautifully. "Granitecrete" (a material similar to Decomposed Granite) was chosen as the surface for other pathways and a small area designed to include a bench and a curved trellis with a lowering vine. It also surrounds the dramatic tall planters with Kumquat trees, and the stately water feature. A variety of Mediterranean plants and grasses fill the garden with movement texture and fragrance, designed in shades of green, gray, purple and white. A low-water Kurapia ground surrounds the main pathway pavers. More photos to come the Spring of 2021 when the plants fill in more abundant.

Relaxing city refuge

City Garden Company

Design ideas for a mid-sized shabby-chic style backyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Atlanta with with fireplace and concrete pavers.

Front Entry Arbor

Regenesis Ecological Design

A custom cedar closed picket fence + gate (w/ black iron latch + hinges) + pergola overhead, creates a warm + inviting entryway.
Inspiration for a small traditional front yard full sun xeriscape in Other with a garden path and decking.

Drought tolerant and deer proof

Brown Dion Design

This is their garden about a year later. Native and drought tolerant plants fill the area between the street and the set-back deer fence. The fence is transparent to keep a friendly face to neighbors.

Gordon's Landscape Renewal

Christiane Holmquist Landscape Design

With this client who has been passionate about plants all his life, there was naturally a close collaboration and a lot of input from him. Upon closer inspection you'd find some very exceptional plants that are sort of experimental but "all worth the try" in Gordon's eyes. And he is right! I relished the opportunity to use Star Magnolia stellata, Redbud Cercis 'Avondale' and 'Silver Cloud', Arabian Lilac 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', Royal Bromeliad Vriesea imperialis, also many unusual bulbs such as Scilla. Besides structure providing shrubs and trees (Tecoma, existing Indian Hawthorne with beautiful structures, Sweet Pea Bush, Golden Breath of Heaven, Ilex, Ginkgo, Bronze Loquat etc.) you'll see here also my favorite perennials, succulents and grasses, all as low care and undemanding as well as low-water as possible, to keep the landscape colorful and interesting year round. One of the highlights of this garden are the dry stream beds, bird bath and garden bench that we added. Built originally by himself and his wife, the dry stream beds were overgrown, mostly hidden by plant debris, or half rolling down hill. We had fun selecting a mixed collection of colorful and richly textured boulders of various sizes over, and with the input from 7 team members: Gordon, me, the contractor, the supervisor and three workers, we re-created the stream beds, making sure that anchor stones on the sides were well embedded in the slope, and that stone shelves and “top dressing” with smaller pebbles would add to the visual interest. Now these beds form very pleasing architectural features that look like they have always been there. We were all surprised how quickly all plants adapted to the site and started growing and putting out bloom. Now the old birdbath, a traditional white thing with dove figurines resting on the scalloped bowl, looked out of place, and I suggested to replace it with a stone bowl. And that part of the garden just called for a bench under the Macademia nut tree, to observe the birds and contemplate the whole creation. Only stone would do, but not any stone! Gordon picked a Basalt boulder that was naturally bowl shaped. It’s so heavy that it took 8 men to heave it into place! The Basalt bench was not much lighter, and together they make a very inviting scene. This job should last for a while. Photographed by Emma Almendarez at http://www.emmatheodoraphotography.com/

Landscapes

Arterra Landscape Design/Build

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun xeriscape in Denver with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Pennsylvania Farmhouse Project

Landscape Associates of De Pere Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Other with a retaining wall and mulch.

Landscape Job in Farmington

Larkin Landscaping

Photo done by Dave Labrum, Landscaping done by Larkin Landscaping, Farmington Utah
This is an example of a large traditional front yard full sun xeriscape for spring in Salt Lake City with gravel.

Curb Appeal Boost and Fire Pit Replace Lawns

Billy Goodnick Garden Design

The new steps are placed further from the tree to prevent root encroachment and serves to draw the eye to the front door. The Sydney Peak stone wall ties into the steps and reappears as the risers.

Cottonwood Heights landscaping front yard

All States Landscaping

After photo. Added rock landscaping, plants, and lights. This beautiful house receives the exposure it deserves after a large evergreen was removed from the front yard.

Sweetbay Magnolia - within an Urban Woodland

Kimberly Mercurio Landscape Architecture

A fragrant Sweetbay Magnolia flower in bloom located in an Urban Garden in Cambridge, MA. Photography by Michael Conway, Means-of-Production.com
This is an example of a mid-sized victorian courtyard partial sun xeriscape for summer in Boston.

Nashville Cherokee Park / Sylvan Park

My Landscape Guide

Design by Elliott Hallum - My Landscape Guide
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun xeriscape for summer in Nashville with mulch.

Patios/Retaining Walls

Timberland Outdoor Services

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun xeriscape in Minneapolis with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Lake Home Perennial Garden - Oconomowoc

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Client favorites like liatris, echinacea and hemerocallis were combined with some of our personal favorite perennials including Agastache x 'Blue Fortune', Baptisia australis and Achillea 'Feuerland'. Westhauser Photography

Lake Home Perennial Garden - Oconomowoc

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Massed perennials and grasses form a colorful border along the edge of the driveway. The plants are mixed in loose groups to give a more natural appearance. Westhauser Photography

Xeric plantings

Pearson Landscape Services

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun xeriscape in Austin with gravel.

Salt-tolerant perennial flower garden

User

A continuous salt tolerant perennial garden along the seawall that does not obscure the view from the backyard lawn. Fisher Hart(photo)
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in New York with a retaining wall.

Traditional Xeriscape 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.