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

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

Davis, Ca

Zenful Gardens

Beginning with a brand new conceptual design, we helped turn an old lawn, into a Mediterranean style outdoor living space. Complete with a new patio, custom boulder fountain, uplighting, olive tree, hand stacked rock wall, steel edging to help create depth & structure, and a hand-selected grouping of plants and boulders to give this yard exceptional character.

Landscape, retaining wall, steps and driveway

Manzer's Landscape Design & Development

Canton Landscape Project

Poseidon Ponds & Landscaping

Photo by Cory Mann

Potomac Kitchen Garden and Outdoor Living Area

Landscape Projects, Inc.

Large boulder steps facilitate circulation in the back yard, with drift roses and hakone grass plalying off each other. The kitchen garden area is to the right. Designed by H. Paul Davis Landscape Architects. ©Melissa Clark Photography. All rights reserved.

Jordan Park Garden, San Francisco

User

A stacked stone wall borders a raised planter full of creeping charlie and purple morning glory.

GEL: Griffin Enright Landscape

A layered hillside extends the garden.

Patio staircase

studio dre

Lakeside Walkout and Beach Ravine

Wandsnider Landscape Architects

Eastside Residential Retreat

Earth Design, Inc.

Full landscape update front and back with native plantings and large retaining boulder wall.

A specimen Chinese Fringe tree accents the brick outdoor fireplace and creates a cozy outdoor living space for relaxation.

San Clemente Craftsman

Living Gardens Landscape Design

Terraced Garden

Belsize Gardens

Mid Century Restored

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Private conversation space for two is conveniently located near the study.

Valliant Drive Retaining Wall Planters

Twisted Rock Terrascape & Design, Inc.

A great example of a front yard makeover that turns a simple sloped front yard with old dead grass and a couple of trees into a functional, beautiful stepped yard that still incorporates some grass but also stepped raised planters, natural rock, and wide substantial concrete steps and sitting areas for tremendous curb appeal!!!

Stepped retaining walls that follow the natural slope

Metamorphic Design

Alan Block retaining walls provide excellent structural retention of the slope

Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall and with Fireplace

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.