Design ideas for a mid-sized backyard full sun xeriscape in Phoenix with a water feature.

We were honored to have the ability to work on the pool along with the architect for this custom home. Due to this ability, the architecture of the home emerges from the swimming pool design. The slate clad column rises right out of the water. The beam that spans the pool also provides a beautiful rain curtain that the homeowners can look through, to see the mountains and beyond. This pool is actually located in the front yard on the second level (with garage below), therefore the pool is part of every entry experience to the home.

The Lemon Tree Trust Garden

User

THE LEMON TREE TRUST GARDEN A garden inspired by the resilience, determination and ingenuity of refugees living in Domiz camp in Northern Iraq, was unveiled at the 2018 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The Lemon Tree Trust garden, designed with the input of refugees, highlighted the unexpected beauty hidden in the camp. The garden was designed to be used as a space to begin to organise the chaos inherent in forced migration, while also providing a sense of normality, wellbeing, peace and civility to broken lives. Beautiful yet drought tolerant planting educated visitors about the type of plants refugees grow in the camp. Ingenious vertical planting, inspired by refugees’ use of everyday objects, and including input from refugees themselves, provided ideas for planting in limited spaces. Trees laden with fruit, including figs, lemons and pomegranates, provided scent and crops to harvest. Brutal, harsh materials, such as concrete and steel, widely available in the camps, were elevated with techniques such as polishing, casting and crafting into patterns and intricate Islamic inspired designs. Colourful and textural planting softened the hard materials. Cooling and calming water flowed throughout the space, collected in channels and pools, recycled and pumped back through the brimming central Islamic inspired fountain, representing the importance of grey water reuse and the many makeshift fountains refugees have built in their own gardens in Domiz camp. Tom Massey progressed to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with a 10x13m Main Avenue garden, after two successful show gardens at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The garden was built by award winning contractor Landscape Associates and was awarded an RHS Silver-Gilt medal. The Lemon Tree Trust supports the development of urban agriculture and greening innovation for refugees and displaced people, promoting food production, well-being and community: lemontreetrust.org Photographs by Britt Willoughby Dyer

Scenic Habitat

Roxy Designs

Photo: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
This is an example of a small mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

TRS

Terra Designs, Inc

Inspiration for a large backyard full sun xeriscape in Phoenix with a water feature.

Stylish Digs in Echo Park

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

Mid-sized modern backyard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature and concrete pavers for spring.

Constructed Streambed & Pond

Redtwig, llc

Photo of an expansive transitional backyard xeriscape in New York with a water feature.

Natural Pond

Laughing Waters, Inc

This man made natural pond is situated on a stunning piece of property in Chicago's Elite Northern Suburbs. The high water level creates a beautiful look that is not easy to achieve. The lily pockets bloom with beautiful flowers while helping filter the water.

Grant Contemporary Landscape

Northwest Native Landscapes LLC

Rainwater is celebrated as the focal point in this backyard garden. The angled deck provides enough space for a morning coffee, then transitions down onto a natural stone patio for large gatherings. A deep plant bed was created against the garage to showcase plant textures and soften the patio space. The curved edge of the patio mimics the irregular shape of the corner rain garden, with a gently sloping lawn in between the two spaces. Natural boulders form the edge of the rain garden, while swaths of rushes and other water-loving plants provide all season interest.

Solana Beach Sustainable Landscape and Bird Sanctuary

Revolution Landscape

Water feature swing bench with arbor.
This is an example of a large country backyard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and gravel.

Water Features

Landscape Solutions & Maintenance

Fountain, Granite Retaining Wall, Belgium Block Boarder
Photo of a small traditional front yard partial sun xeriscape for summer in New York with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Taylor Residence

The Garden Artist LLC

A top view of the fire pit, reflecting pool with copper pipe and bowl fountain, and stone slab sitting area. Selected by the Lunaria League and Idaho Botanical Gardens for the 2012 Garden Tour.

Rock Water Feature

All States Landscaping

Mid-sized contemporary backyard xeriscape in Salt Lake City with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Mid Century Modern in the Hollywood Hills - Front Patio

Bosler Earth Design

Designer’s Notes: Use mixed materials such as concrete pavers, wood, various stones and decomposed granite to add interesting plant textures to add appeal. ©Daniel Bosler Photography

Details

Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

Photo of a small modern backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and gravel.

Modern Meets Boho

BOXHILL

Photography: Gerardine and Jude Vargas
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard full sun xeriscape for winter in Phoenix with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Modern Tranquility

Campion Walker Landscapes

To anchor a modern house, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, Campion Walker brought in a mature oak grove that at first frames the home and then invites the visitor to explore the grounds including an intimate culinary garden and stone fruit orchard. The neglected hillside on the back of the property once overgrown with ivy was transformed into a California native oak woodland, with under-planting of ceanothus and manzanitas. We used recycled water to create a dramatic water feature cut directly into the limestone entranceway framed by a cacti and succulent garden.

Artful Water Catchment

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

Surrounded by papyrus, this brightly-colored rain barrel is the finishing touch on a water-wise garden in Grover Beach, CA.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Luis Obispo with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Grace Design Associates

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Uber green earthy contemporary Winner of the Gold Medal and the International Landscaper Designer of The Year for APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers) Winner of Santa Barbara Beautiful Award, Large Family Residence

Water Features

Prism Hardscapes

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard xeriscape in Los Angeles with a water feature and mulch.

Xeriscape Design Ideas with a Water Feature

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.