Oak Tree Setting With Hillside Views, Landscape Renovation, Northern California

APLD Silver Award Winning Landscape 2021. Dymondia ground cover filled in. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design @digyourgardenlandscapedesign

Dog Friendly Backyard

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.

Landscapes

Arterra Landscape Design/Build

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional front yard full sun xeriscape in Denver with a retaining wall.

Clarksville Modern Residence Steel Planters

ADLA Studio

Inspiration for a large modern front yard partial sun xeriscape in Austin with a retaining wall and gravel.

Tucson Travertine

Santa Rita Landscaping, Inc.

A basalt spire water feature. Photos by Meagan Hancock
Design ideas for a large mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Phoenix with a retaining wall and gravel.

Lafayette 2

Envision Landscape Studio

Photo of a large modern sloped full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and gravel.

Succulent Symphony

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

Aeonium, agave, and echeveria are featured here against a backdrop of eclectic Mediterranean favorites.
Design ideas for a mediterranean xeriscape in San Luis Obispo with a retaining wall.

Custom Corten steel planter.

Outside InStyle

Drought tolerant Corten steel retaining wall acts as planter above Huntington Drive.
Design ideas for a large contemporary sloped full sun xeriscape for summer in Los Angeles with a retaining wall and mulch.

Magnolia Modern

Mark S. Garff, Landscape Architect

This newly constructed home was in need of an outdoor living space and streetscape in a matching contemporary Northwest style. Our studio composed a landscape with an improved entry sequence, balancing the need for personal privacy alongside a distinctive public face. A steel framed gabion basket wall provides a crisp edge and doubles as retaining for the private patio behind the horizontal board fence. The courtyard oasis with a new deck is enclosed by warm wooden fencing set on top of the contrasting raw texture of a gabion retaining wall that acts as a backdrop to bold streetscape plantings.

Europa - Sandstone Color

Air Vol Block, Inc

All Palermo size
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard xeriscape in San Luis Obispo with a retaining wall and natural stone pavers.

Highlands Residence II

Chuck B Edwards Landscape Architecture & 3D

Board formed concrete wall and steps with linear strip lighting.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern front yard xeriscape in Boise with a retaining wall.

Lake Oswego Custom Getaway

Grove Custom Homes

Photo of an expansive contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in Portland with a retaining wall and concrete pavers.

Tiburon

Huettl Landscape Architecture

Marion Brenner
Photo of a large modern backyard xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and gravel.

water-wise in the Santa Monica Mountains

SVA Home and Garden

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern front yard partial sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with gravel and a retaining wall.

Dry Stacked Napa Basalt Terraces

Sarah Ray Landscape Design

Photo of a transitional sloped xeriscape in San Francisco with a retaining wall and mulch.

Hidden Trail

Seed Landcare

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Orange County with mulch and a retaining wall.

Torrens Park

Landscape Techniques

This Torrens Park home stands out from the crowd and the landscaping needed to reflect the build. A full size tennis court, 12m pool and extensive outdoor entertaining area take up most of the rear yard. Large format grey granite slabs continued to the pool edge giving a seamless effect which complemented the 140mm composite decking laid under the outdoor entertaining area. The front yard is separated by a number of different height garden beds planted out with striking and contrasting foliage. The grey granite continued out front with the driveways constructed in exposed aggregate. Photographer: Mike Hemus - mikehemus.com

Shade Garden 2

Pearson Landscape Services

Design ideas for a large modern backyard shaded xeriscape for spring in Austin with a retaining wall and gravel.

Ledge Stone Retaining Wall with Plantings

DC Design LLC

Large ledge stones create a retaining wall on the side of the swimming pool. Plantings soften the stone and concrete by providing texture and color.
Design ideas for a large modern backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Detroit with natural stone pavers and a retaining wall.

Lake Cottage Landscape Renovation

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.

Xeriscape 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.