Sunset Cliffs Complete Makeover with New Pool

Landscape Logic built these metal panels to create privacy on the side property line. The plant will grow tall between the panels and create a really nice backdrop from the patio.

Creating Space in Glassell Park

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

A sumptuous palette of yellow and purple plants graces the slope. It’s a lush and biodiverse selection of California natives and the spirited expanse of flowers and foliage grounds the new house into the surrounding hillside. Aromatic native Sages, Monkey Flower and Yarrow play off the rich green of Coyote Bush while native Blonde Ambition Blue Grama grass brushes the magenta pom-pom flowers of Pink Melaleuca tree. The tight purple flowers of California Lilac complement the open faced California Sunflower. A Coast Live Oak was planted to stand sentry over all. Plants are all hardy and highly drought tolerant. The Kurapia groundcover lawn is verdant but, once established, hardly needs watering. The constant buzzing and bird warbling create a soothing natural soundtrack.

Garden Canopy in Daytime

Charles Di Piazza Architecture

Native Shrubs and Monterey Oaks separate the garden from the street front on Rio Grande. A steel canopy rusts in sympathy with the Court / Corten House, and will be eventually shrouded in vines to shade the seating area below.

McKinnon Garden 2.0

Boodle Concepts

Backyard retreat in McKinnon. Garden design & landscaping installation by Boodle Concepts, based in Melbourne and Kyneton, Macedon Ranges. Firepit area is hugged by custom curved bench and various heights of screening for visual interest. #decking #moderngardens #melbournegardens #curvebench #curvedbench #indooroutdoorliving #artificialturf #backyardretreat #backyardoasis #gardendesign #landscapingmelbourne #boodleconcepts #australiandesigners

Kirkland Charmer

Land2c Landscape Architecture

Land2c The entertaining areas have three separate seating groups and can handle large groups easily. The kitchen is close to the largest, central terrace and BBQ. The guests can move easily between inside and outside through 3 sets of French doors.

Contemporary Coastal Garden Transformation in Aptos

Elemental Design Group

Contemporary black path light with carex meanders along decomposed granite path retained by Sonoma fieldstones.

Spanish Mission House

Sarita Landscape Inc

Giving a dramatic twist to the tired yard of a Spanish Mission house. Modern and rustic blending in a single landscape with dark grey concrete and brick and decomposed granite pathway.

Atherton Complex

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

New landscape remodel, include concrete, lighting, outdoor living space and drought resistant planting.

Berkeley Hills House

Parco Studio

Taking notes from Lawrence Halprin's original landscape design, we recreated his "alpine pond" here.The new bedroom wing is situated so as to feed the pond with runoff collected by the home's butterfly roof.

South Pasadena Craftsman Cottage

June Scott Design

Red jar fountain with stones, seating, decomposed granite and California native plantings.

Rancho Santa Fe, Parterre Gardens

Jesse York, Landscape Designer

This award-winning design epitomizes luxury and formal Italian garden elegance, with natural decomposed granite walkways leading through meticulously arranged parterre gardens. Adhering to a sophisticated white, purple, and green color palette, these gardens bloom with carefully selected roses, irises, and geraniums. Celebrated annually on upscale garden tours, this project has become a beacon of design excellence, capturing the traditional Italian style with unparalleled sophistication.

McKinnon Garden 2.0

Boodle Concepts

Backyard retreat in McKinnon. Garden design & landscaping installation by Boodle Concepts, based in Melbourne and Kyneton, Macedon Ranges. #decking #moderngardens #melbournegardens #curvebench #curvedbench #indooroutdoorliving #artificialturf #backyardretreat #backyardoasis #gardendesign #landscapingmelbourne #boodleconcepts #australiandesigners

Kirkland Charmer

Land2c Landscape Architecture

Land2c The gradual steps work their way to the home through a lush landscape. Grasses, ferns, and maples shade the area. Several trees were left that add instant age to the new garden.

Corner Raised Vegetable and Herb Garden

Landscape Logic

These are raised vegetable boxes at perfect height, 24" high. The are equipped with automatic drip irrigation system.

Zen Garden in Santa Cruz

Elemental Design Group

natural pond with stone coping and decomposed granite create a tranquil space for meditation.

Creating Space in Glassell Park

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

We started by levelling the top area into two terraced lawns of low water Kurapia and nearly doubling the space on the lower level with retaining walls. We built a striking new pergola with a graphic steel-patterned roof to make a covered seating area. Along with creating shade, the roof casts a movie reel of shade patterns throughout the day. Now there is ample space to kick back and relax, watching the sun spread its glow on the surrounding hillside as it makes its slow journey down the horizon towards sunset. An aerodynamic fan keeps the air pleasantly cool and refreshing. At night the backyard comes alive with an ethereal lighting scheme illuminating the space and making it a place you can enjoy well into the night. It’s the perfect place to end the day.

A path made from decomposed granite with Juniper timber steps leads from the terraced vegetable garden, through the side courtyard, and to the backyard.

Atherton Complex

Blue Sierra Landscape Construction

New landscape remodel, include concrete, lighting, outdoor living space and drought resistant planting.

Berkeley Hills House

Parco Studio

Juniper timber retaining walls and steps form the terraced vegetable garden. A rain chain on the southern end of the butterfly roof leads to a runnel at the base of the garden.

Garden Design Ideas with Decomposed Granite for Spring

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.