The design intent was to unify this flat and expansive landscape. To create more flow and access, a new deck with wrap around stairs opens into the backyard. At the base of the stairs, a flagstone pathway transitions to a vegetable garden area, with picnic table and raised boxes, built out of salvaged Redwood boards. For visual interest and accessibility, moss rock retaining walls with timber ties and gravel pathway are carved into the hillside. Another seating nook made of flagstone looks directly into a rose garden. Beyond the roses, a Mediterranean planting pallet defines this landscape with seasonal blooms, defined foliage textures and edible fruit trees.

Low Voltage LED's Illuminate Drought Tolerant Planting

Mediterrasian Landscapes

Terraces with drought tolerant plants

Barnaby Woods Residence

Moody Graham

Photography by Allen Russ.

Hawthorn alfresco backyard

Boodle Concepts

An understated row of Ornamental Pear trees sit in from of a freshly Dulux-painted boundary fence in Hawthorn, Melbourne. Galvanised steel trellis on timber posts provides height and drama to the garden space, allowing Star Jasmine to climb up the vertical garden and screen out the neighbours (adding privacy). A freshly positioned boulder retaining wall gives the space an organic feel. Invigorating grasses add a lush element to the back yard, colour matching the artificial grass. Groundcovers cascade down and soften the severity of the timber retaining walls. Styling by Votre Monde. Image by Benjamin Carter of Boodle Concepts Landscaping

Wappingers Falls Poolscape

Randazzo's Landscaping Inc.

Coastal Retreat

Tech Scapes Australia Landscaping

Bare Foot Family Foodscape

Christian Douglas Design, Inc.

Kirkland Residence

Noriko Marshall Landscape Architecture

Contemporary Beach Front Garden

Brett Maloney Landscapes, LLC

Custom landscape lighting amongst colorful perennials. This is a handmade bronze lamp fixture with handmade glass globe and reclaimed redwood post. We had all the lighting on the lake side of the project created by an artist group in California. Photo by Landscape Artist: Brett D. Maloney.

Commercial Retaining Wall

Manzer's Landscape Design & Development

Retaining Wall & Drainage Project , Peekskill Homeowners Association

Modern carpentry - Woodbridge pergola and privacy screen.

Horvath Landscapes

plutadesigns

Governors Island Full Landscape Design Project

Belknap Landscape Company

Karen Bobotas

Weston Pool Terrace

a Blade of Grass

View down to the pool and spa from the driveway level.

Chester Country Residence

B.DeMichele Inc.

This outdoor space includes a grand fireplace that is set into a hillside as well as separate entertaining areas separated by use

Blum Park

Gregory Davis & Associates

Landscape Design and Installation by Gregory Davis & Associates, www.gdalandscape.com Abran Photography

Small Spaces

Maria Hickey & Associates Landscapes

The brief of this project was very clear and simple. The clients wanted to transform their overgrown and non functional back yard to a usuable and practical space. The location is in Rye, Vic. The solution was to build tiered retaining walls to stabilize the slope and create level and usuable platforms. This proved challanging as the soil mostly contains sand, especially here on the lower end of the peninsula, which made excavating easy however difficult to retain the cut once excavated. Therefore the retaining walls had to be constructed in stages, bottom wall to top wall, back filling and stabilizing the hill side as the next wall got erected. The end result met all expectations of the clients and the back yard was transformed from an unusable slope to a functional and secure space.

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

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. 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

Backyard Garden 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.