Dry creek bed with ledger stone, pebbles, trailing sedums and ornamental grasses.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard partial sun xeriscape for spring in San Luis Obispo with a garden path and gravel.

A San Rafael Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Guest cottage forecourt, with flagstone paving, also created by removing a section of the driveway. The planting and pots compliment the style of the house. This garden has been featured on the Marin Ecological Garden Tour 2009 through 2011. Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Seneca Residence

Verdance Landscape Architecture

Because the sunniest place to grow vegetables is in the front yard, custom Cor-ten steel planters were designed as an attractive sculptural element, their graceful curves complementing the organic flow of the landscape. Informal gravel provides stable footing to walk and work, while remaining permeable to rain. Dwarf citrus grow in pots, and foundation plantings of Ribes sanguineum and Phormium 'Guardsman', and Ficus pumila vine anchor the home. Photo © Jude Parkinson-Morgan.

Native Landscapes

PETER ATKINS AND ASSOCIATES., LLC

Pollinator Pathway Project in Pound Ridge. When we started it was a steep grassy slope and it was challenging to grow grass on the slope. We immediately designed a pollinator perennials garden. Designer:: Peter Atkins. Peter Atkins and Associates. LLC.

Travertine patio

Stephen Read Landscape Design

Mid-sized modern side yard full sun xeriscape in Other with a garden path, gravel and a wood fence for fall.

Small Garden Rooms, Hamptons, NY

Hotbotany

Beautiful view outside the kitchen window and pathway to backyard. Shades of green foliage and flowers give an peaceful moment.
Inspiration for a small contemporary side yard partial sun xeriscape for summer in New York with gravel.

California Spanish Modern Sanctuary

Califia Ecodesign

Ultimate backyard escape. Never mowed. Watered once a week. Gorgeous mediterranean garden for a contemporary lifestyle.
Large mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape in Los Angeles with with flowerbed and gravel for summer.

Backyard

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Large modern backyard full sun xeriscape in Dallas with gravel and a metal fence.

Wentworth Outdoor Fireplace & Deck

Twisted Rock Terrascape & Design, Inc.

Nice and clean window well area utilizing pressure treated wood as opposed to ugly metal.
This is an example of a mid-sized and desert look traditional front yard xeriscape in Calgary with gravel.

Curving Block Retaining Walls, Stairs

Omega Brick & Landscaping

Curving Mini Creta Retaining Wall, Stairs, Chips n Dust Courtyard and Gardens
Inspiration for a small contemporary side yard xeriscape with a retaining wall and gravel.

Custom Steel Retaining Walls

Eden Garden Design

Custom steel and limestone boulder retaining walls with xeric Texas planting. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/

Details

Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

Inspiration for a large contemporary front yard full sun xeriscape in San Diego with a water feature and gravel.

Jardin méditerranéen naturel

Sigmap-Jardin

L'automne, les graminées, les gaura et les santolines prennent le relais sur les floraisons de printemps et d'été.
This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean side yard full sun xeriscape in Marseille with a garden path and gravel.

Landscaping

Picture Perfect Lawn

Drought tolerant landscape done to add major curb appeal
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury front yard full sun xeriscape in Other with a garden path and gravel.

Shades of Green

Living Gardens Landscape Design

Our clients were looking to replace their existing dying grass with a welcoming low water design. We created a fire pit seating area under trees with string lights overhead. The fountain is featured opposite the master bedroom windows. A low water and low maintenance design.

Water-Wise Home Yard Landscaping Project in Temecula

Southwest Boulder & Stone

Joe and Tod, homeowners in the Vintage Hills area of Temecula, undertook this yard transformation themselves. Their goal was to replace a lawned portion of the right side of their front yard with drought-tolerant plants and rock complementing the existing landscaping. The homeowners began the project by transplanting kangaroo paw, yucca, lantana and jade plants. Some of the plants made the journey from their former home in Long Beach and others came from thinning out existing plants in the yard. In addition to designing the space together, they also installed the project themselves. The small, light gray boulders and cobble were already located on the property, and closely resemble Sierra boulders. Gambler's Gold 3/4" crushed rock was used to create the "islands" around the plants, with 3/4" gray crushed rock to fill in the larger areas. Premium Sunburst pebbles in the 1"-3" size finished the area off as the border with the neighbor's property.

Hillside Estate

Nichols Design Group, Inc.

Design ideas for a mediterranean sloped full sun xeriscape for summer in San Diego with a retaining wall and gravel.

Landscape at 44th Street

Sonja Cellucci

Custom concrete board form planter box with golden barrel cactus, agave, and hopseed bushes. Photo Credit: Hoopes Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern front yard full sun xeriscape in Phoenix with gravel.

Eco Modern

Eco Landscape Design & Build

Design ideas for a large modern backyard shaded xeriscape in Los Angeles with a fire feature and gravel.

Orinda 6

Garden Nest Residential Landscape

Photo By: Jude Parkinson-Morgan
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional front yard xeriscape in San Francisco with gravel.

Xeriscape Design Ideas with Gravel

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.