A steep hillside is turned into a lush landscape using salvias, ornamental grasses, pomegranates and other easy care plants.

Garden of Splendor

flora Distinctive Landscapes

Casual Elegance in Westchester County, NY

Westover Landscape Design

Like most growing families, this client wanted to lure everyone outside. And when the family went outdoors, they were hoping to find flamboyant color, delicious fragrance, freshly grilled food, fun play-spaces, and comfy entertaining areas waiting. Privacy was an imperative. Seems basic enough. But a heap of challenges stood in the way between what they were given upon arrival and the family's ultimate dreamscape. Primary among the impediments was the fact that the house stands on a busy corner lot. Plus, the breakneck slope was definitely not playground-friendly. Fortunately, Westover Landscape Design rode to the rescue and literally leveled the playing field. Furthermore, flowing from space to space is a thoroughly enjoyable, ever-changing journey given the blossom-filled, year-around-splendiferous gardens that now hug the walkway and stretch out to the property lines. Soft evergreen hedges and billowing flowering shrubs muffle street noise, giving the garden within a sense of embrace. A fully functional (and frequently used) convenient outdoor kitchen/dining area/living room expand the house's floorplan into a relaxing, nature-infused on-site vacationland. Mission accomplished. With the addition of the stunning old-world stone fireplace and pergola, this amazing property is a welcome retreat for year round enjoyment. Mission accomplished. Rob Cardillo for Westover Landscape Design, Inc.

Sustainable House

jonathan alderson landscape architects, inc.

Rob Cardillo, Kwatee Stamm Architect: Moger Mehrhof Architects Landscape representative of the vernacular of the region.

The Settings

Gardens for Living

Hillside Garden

The Philbin Group Landscape Architecture

This hillside garden welcomes all to come on up and enjoy the view. Rockeries and natural stone outcroppings are the framework for the colorful and drought tolerant perennial forms.

Bergen County Landscape Designs

Jacobsen Landscape Design & Construction

Doheny Estates

Foundation Landscape Design

Retaining Wall With Shrubs

Big Rock Landscaping

Layered flower beds in this retaining wall are a great way to add greenery and dimension to the backyard landscape.

Woodland Park-Like Estate

Les Arbres Tree Service & Fine Gardening

Back hillside/ lower garden bed.

Spectacular American Country Style Home

Prime Design Tasmania Pty Ltd

Belmont Landscape Revamp

Moodscapes LLC

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

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Night view with low voltage pathway and garden lighting enhance the beauty of this expansive back yard landscape remodel that has been transformed into a relaxing outdoor retreat. The remodel includes 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

Black Bear

Environmental Designs, Inc.

By adding a number of winding and intersecting paths and staircases the finished design allows the user to access almost all parts of the property. Landscape Construction: Environmental Designs, Inc.; Landscape Architecture Design: MARPA

Spectacular Canyon View Terrace

Urban Oasis Landscape Design

The California native and friendly plants on the hillside provide a riot of color.

Giardino in collina

Silvia Longhi

ph. Silvia Longhi

Steps and Junipers 3 Years Later in the Fall

Zone4 Landscapes Ltd.

The golden junipers have grown into the point where their graceful arms are almost touching and starting to create the desired effect.

Rye Renovation

Crisp Architects

Rob Karosis: Photographer

Contemporary Landscape Design for a Narrow Back Yard in Napa, CA

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Napa, CA residence, adjacent to a steep rock hillside. My design solutions included a contemporary redwood horizontal fence to help screen the view of the hillside along with arbors for vines that help to break up the long narrow space. I designed a triangular-shaped pergola with decorative panels from "Parasoleil" that serves as an artful focal point while providing interesting shade patterns that casts its delightful shadow along fence and patio and bench below, changing its position as the sun moves throughout the day. The landscape design includes angular planting beds, concrete pavers surrounded by gravel and a small lower-water lawn for the family to enjoy. The photos show the just planted low-water plants, vines and olive trees and again after a couple of months. Drawings, Design and Photos © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Backyard Lighting Examples

World Class Outdoor Lighting Madison

World Class Outdoor Lighting designs, installs & maintains outdoor lighting systems. Increase safety, security and your property value with a WCOL system.

Sloped Garden Design Ideas

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.