Hillside Landscape Sanctuary in Northern California

Succulent flowers are humming bird magnets. 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. This sustainable garden also serves as her "living laboratory" where Eileen observes and learns from the habits and growth of her extensive selection of plants. They include hundreds of varieties of low-water plants ranging from California natives to others from South Africa and Australia, and a few exotics from Hawaii and other regions. Succulents have always been one of Eileen's favorites and they co-mingle beautifully throughout the landscape. The gardens offer biodiversity and attract many species of birds along with bees and butterflies. Design and Photos: © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design http://www.digyourgarden.com

Valley Estate

Damian Farrell Design Group

The landscaping fades gently into the surrounding natural prairie. Stone steps lead from the yard into a newly planted dwarf apple orchard.

Artificial Grass Play and Golf Install at Ranch-Style Home in San Diego

SYNLawn

These homeowners in San Diego are blessed with a large backyard, and that allowed them to not only choose SYNLawn artificial grass for their playground application, but they also had room for a beautiful putting green from SYNLawn Golf. © SYNLawn artificial grass - all rights reserved.

Backyard spaces

Princeton Scapes Inc

Outdoor dining area with steps leading to pool and fire pit area

San Rafael Eichler - Mid-Century Modern Back & Front Landscape Remodel

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

The front and back areas surrounding this Eichler home were updated with the mid-century modern design aesthetic in mind. The back landscape includes concrete retaining walls and pathways and the "Gracie Modern Arbors" (by TerraTrellis) provide eye-catching focal points, three installed to bring interest and needed height over a long pathway ramp with grape vines. Another frames a stairway to the hillside with a flowering Passion vine. The sloped hillsides were revamped to include low-water and low-maintenance plants that include CA natives, flowing grasses, other Mediterranean plants and several succulents. The Front landscape takes on a minimalist design with architectural Barrel Cactus, Artichoke Agaves, stately Thatching Reeds, a Blue Palm (Brahea 'Clara') a Mediterranean Fan Palm and other easy-care plants. The corten steel sculpture offers a striking focal point adjacent to the front doorway.

St. Helena Mountain Farmhouse

James McCalligan Architect

Complete Lakefront Landscape

Eagleson Landscape Co.

Hillside Manor

Buchanan Construction

Up on a Hillside, stands a strong and handsome home with many facets and gables. Built to withstand the test of time, the exquisite stone and stylish shakes siding surrounds the exterior and protects the beauty within. The distinguished front door entry with side lights and a transom window stands tall and opens up to high coffered ceilings, a floor to ceiling stone fireplace, stunning glass doors & windows, custom built-ins and an open concept floor plan. The expansive kitchen is graced with a striking leathered granite island, butlers pantry, stainless-steel appliances, fine cabinetry and dining area. Just off the kitchen is an inviting sunroom with a stone fire place and a fantastic EZE Breeze Window System. There is a custom drop-zone built by our team of master carpenters that offers a beautiful point of interest as well as functionality. En suite bathrooms add a sense of luxury to guest bedrooms. The master bedroom has a private sunroom perfect for curling up and reading a book. The luxurious Master Bath exudes tranquility with a large garden tub, custom tile shower, barrel vault ceiling and his & hers granite vanities. The extensively landscaped back yard features tiered rock walls, two gorgeous water features and several spacious outdoor living areas perfect for entertaining friends and enjoying the four seasons of North Carolina.

Swimming Pool, Patio, Backyard Shower Construction

Bill D'Agata

Texas Vernacular Ranch

David Lewis Builder

Sara Donaldson Photograph

Catskill Mountain Project

The Crafted Garden

View of perennial areas looking south. Layout was focused on the Hemlock as the anchor.

The Front Yard Redesign

Pratt Guys

Paving a driveway and adding low stone walls to a front yard is a huge transformation that can add big value to your home.

Parkland Residence, Beverly Hills

MGS Architecture

Photography by Matthew Momberger

Stacked Stone Retaining Wall

Randy & Ray's LLC

Add interest to a sloping landscape with natural stacked stone retaining wall and flagstone steps. Photo: Randy & Ray's LLC

Interior design di villa privata

Fabricamus Architettura e Ingegneria

Alessio Vissani

School House Road Project

Belknap Landscape Company

Business with Event Space

Hermes Landscaping

The pond area was full over grown plant material. Hermes completely renovated the pond and made this the focal point of their courtyard. Employees enjoy the atmosphere during lunch and the company uses the area for entertaining. -Hermes Landscaping

Mosman

Harrison's Landscaping

A truly beautiful garden and pool design to complement an incredible architectural designed harbour view home.

Modern Victorian

Tim Brown Architecture

Casey Fry

The Front Yard Redesign

Pratt Guys

Paving a driveway and adding low stone walls to a front yard is a huge transformation that can add big value to your home.

Expansive 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.