While the Southern California drought is keeping homeowners water usage to a minimum, there are an abundance of plants that thrive on minimal amounts of water. A combination of drip irrigation systems and drought tolerant plants can keep your exterior spaces green and beautiful as well as water efficient.

Pleasing front entry in Connecticut

Designing Eden llc

A feldstone walkway lined with Aubrieta 'Axcent Deep Purple' and Phlox subulata 'Blue Emerald'. Designing Eden llc

Landscape photography Portfolio

lensi designs photography

Peony

A Traditional Spring Garden

Designscapes Colorado Inc.

Plant Ideas & Colorful Combinations

Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC

The rich purple blooms of Rhododendron x 'Lee's Dark Purple' paired with the soft yellow of Rhododendron 'Capistrano' USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9 Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC

'Amy Cotta' Rhododendron

Proven Winners

Close up of 'Amy Cotta' flowers. In cool weather, leaf color is dark purple.

Privatgarten

Gartengestaltung Ralf Grothe GmbH

Firma Grothe, Miquel Tres

Pickens, SC

CMHP Design, LLC

This photo shows the lawn path to the phlox garden. Photo and landscape design by Carissa Hood-Pope

Spring 2015

Magee Design

Pretty in Pink. (C) John C Magee

Natural Stone Steps

Paul Massad Landscaping

Malvern | Wattle House

Catnik Design Studio

MALVERN | WATTLE HOUSE Front garden Design | Stone Masonry Restoration | Colour selection The client brief was to design a new fence and entrance including garden, restoration of the façade including verandah of this old beauty. This gorgeous 115 year old, villa required extensive renovation to the façade, timberwork and verandah. Withing this design our client wanted a new, very generous entrance where she could greet her broad circle of friends and family. Our client requested a modern take on the ‘old’ and she wanted every plant she has ever loved, in her new garden, as this was to be her last move. Jill is an avid gardener at age 82, she maintains her own garden and each plant has special memories and she wanted a garden that represented her many gardens in the past, plants from friends and plants that prompted wonderful stories. In fact, a true ‘memory garden’. The garden is peppered with deciduous trees, perennial plants that give texture and interest, annuals and plants that flower throughout the seasons. We were given free rein to select colours and finishes for the colour palette and hardscaping. However, one constraint was that Jill wanted to retain the terrazzo on the front verandah. Whilst on a site visit we found the original slate from the verandah in the back garden holding up the raised vegetable garden. We re-purposed this and used them as steppers in the front garden. To enhance the design and to encourage bees and birds into the garden we included a spun copper dish from Mallee Design. A garden that we have had the very great pleasure to design and bring to life. Residential | Building Design Completed | 2020 Building Designer Nick Apps, Catnik Design Studio Landscape Designer Cathy Apps, Catnik Design Studio Construction | Catnik Design Studio Lighting | LED Outdoors_Architectural

Western Redbud in Spring

FormLA Landscaping

Do we need to speak to any other benefit of Western Redbud in early spring? These blooms are pollinator magnets - and delicious! As leaves fill in, they are a nearly translucent lime to apple green, allowing just the right amount of sun to break through the canopy.

Backyard South African, Costa Rican, and New Zealand plantings.

Outside InStyle

South African, Costa Rican, and New Zealand plantings fill up the backyard garden beds.

Outdoor Living in Wide Open Spaces

Accent Landscapes

Natural boulder retaining walls create a perfect area for outdoor entertaining. Photo by Roger Haywood

Southampton Farm

Warren's Nursery

Before & After Installation Photos

Nite FX Lighting - landscape lighting

Go from Dark to Dramatic in one Day!

Plant Ideas & Colorful Combinations

Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC

Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' - Leonard Messel Magnolia, these pale pink blossoms cover this small multi-stem flowering tree in spring. USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9

Low Maintenance Xeriscape in Monument

Accent Landscapes

This beautiful colorful area was grown in from a native wildflower seed blend. It's a very low maintenance area that non the less stuns.

A Traditional Spring Garden

Designscapes Colorado Inc.

Spring Containers & Landscapes

KMS Gardens and Design

Purple Garden Design Ideas 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.