This is an example of a small midcentury backyard partial sun xeriscape for winter in Portland with a retaining wall and a wood fence.

Natural Inspired Architectural Landscaping

GILL LANDSCAPES

Beautiful stone path leading to the exterior service area.
Small modern side yard shaded xeriscape in Christchurch with with path, river rock and a wood fence for winter.

Swing Nook and Patio

Ecoscape Environmental Design

This east facing side patio provides a welcome break from the summer heat. Previously this area was a hot-mess of uneven pavers, rotting landscape timbers, bindweed, cheatgrass, and no outdoor lighting on the pathway. Now it is much safer with the fire-resistant stone closest to the perimeter of the home.

River Rock Natural Stream Bed

Harmony Design Northwest

The gently sloping yard is divided into two distinct areas. We kept a large grassy area for the dogs and to offset the large patio. Instead of a harsh retaining we used the slope to create a natural stone stream bed that collects rainwater and drains it away from the house.

Modern Landscape in Santa Monica

Prime Gardens Inc

Drought Tolerant, gravel, boulders, trees and drip irrigation
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for winter in Los Angeles with a garden path and brick pavers.

Arlington Oasis

Melissa MacDonald, Landscape Architect

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard partial sun xeriscape for winter in Boston with a fire feature and gravel.

Rainy Day Rain Garden

FormLA Landscaping

Long before the riparian-loving, drought tolerant California native foliage established itself, this rain garden worked to keep stormwater onsite. It takes quite a bit of technology to do so. The bioswale accepts water from the back and front gardens as well as the roof of the home via drains, an underground vessel, and a sump-pump. It can absorb this level of water in a matter of minutes. Because the soil in this area tends toward clay, another drain helps manage possible overflow. Photo: Steve Matloff, 2018

Spectacular Canyon View Terrace

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

We retained the canyon walls and built a patio into the hillside to create an area where you can walk down and enjoy the beautiful canyon views. The hillside is planted predominantly with California natives and will need little irrigation once established. California sunflower peeks out from a bed. Photo by Debbie Gliksman

Contemporary Landscape with Basalt Columns Water Feature

Accent Landscapes

A unique front walk, a manufactured stone veneer retaining wall, and basalt columns create a one of a kind entry to the home.
Inspiration for a large contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape for winter in Denver with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Private Residence on Malone Cliff Dallas, Bioswale

Kevin Sloan Studio

The back of the house filters and collects water in 20,000 gallon storage tank set underground. Pictured is a bioswale set to collect and filter rainwater. Native plants include frogfruit and American beautyberry. Photo by Peter Calvin

Mango Popsicle with dry river bed.

H2 XERO Landscape Design

This arid garden photo was taken just after the garden was installed so the plants are still small. Within a year, the shrubs in the background will hide the block perimeter wall and the neighbor's shed. An important part of landscape design is to solve visual problems. We used blue-black Mexican river rock to create the illusion of water in the permeable dry river. We call this style, our lush desert or soft desert design. The color theme is silver foliage or leaves, blue cactus, yellow flowers, blue flowers, accented by a dash of hot mango. Photo by Tina Cremer, H2 XERO Landscape.

San Francisco designer showcase

User

Designer event- Annual San Francisco designer showcase. *Design director- Chris Jacobson *Landscape contractor- Garden Route *Metal vine screens on terrace-Greenscreen *Roof planters-Planter Technology *Metallic planters- International Art Properties, Inc *Terrace furniture- Henry Hall Designs *Cast bronze terrace railings- Roger W. Stoller *Bronze gate, hand rail, pelican sculpture- W.J. Sorich Metalsmith *Metal sculpture bench- William Wareham *Photo- Chris Jacobson, GardenArt group

Waverley Wild Side

OUTHOUSE design

Oversized step stones make access easy, and maintenance is a thing of the past with a deep layer of gravel.
Photo of a small country front yard partial sun xeriscape for winter in Sydney with with outdoor playset and natural stone pavers.

Hillside Landscape Sanctuary in Northern California

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

This vast hillside in San Anselmo, Northern California has evolved over the years and is the personal sanctuary of Landscape Designer Eileen Kelly, owner of Dig Your Garden Landscape Design. Succulents have always been one of Eileen's favorites for their dramatic textures and low-water needs. Design and Photos © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com

Stump Hollow Lake House Project

Garden Guru Services

The 'Fat Albert' Blue Spruce was used to break up the concrete wall as it grows over time. 'Color Guard' Yucca provide great year-round color.
Design ideas for an arts and crafts sloped partial sun xeriscape for winter in Other with a retaining wall and gravel.

Mid-Century Zen Garden - Racine

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

The original zen garden is updated with slate chip mulch and a birds nest spruce. Boulders original to the site were relocated as needed. Renn Kuhnen Photography

Whitfield Modern

BORDEN Landscape Design

Modern front yard full sun xeriscape in Tampa for winter.

Adirondack Arroyo (or An Aesthetic and Functional Solution to a Drainage Issue)

Land Art

New garden complete. Pea gravel path leads users through a native plant garden with the essence of a geological feature. The grassland provides year-round interest, attracts birds and pollinators, and functions as a drainage solution, efficiently diverting enormous amounts of runoff away from the home where it had previously pooled after rain showers and spring snowmelts. Photo by Jess Ray Photography

Spanish Colonial Revival in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Home Design

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Mediterranean Front Hillside Garden - Novato, California

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Photo taken in the summer, 2 years after the hillside was planted with a selection of CA native plants and other low-water plants for year round interest. © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Xeriscape Design Ideas for Winter

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.