Location: Cohasset, MA, USA When my clients purchased this historic house, they saw that this garden held great potential, even though the property had been somewhat neglected. They wanted the new landscape to evoke the feeling of an Olde Maine house that time had forgotten. Sitting on the front veranda in the shade of the treasured Horse Chestnut and Maple trees that flank each side of the house, we explored the possibilities together. The front yard sloped a bit too much for comfort, so we determined that building a stone wall in the middle would create a terrace, making both parts of the lawn more usable. Visions of parties and children's weddings came to mind. We put a set of elegant arching steps in the middle, leading down to the sunken garden. Large, mature Rhododendrons were planted at the base of the Horse Chestnut and Maple trees just off the front veranda. Boxwoods undulate beneath the trees with Vinca as a ground cover. Ticonderoga stone was used for the walls and steps, which was the closest match to the existing stone foundation. The exquisite masonry by Doug Brooks Masonry makes this staircase as elegant as a tiered wedding cake. A riot of perennials offer a beautiful foreground to the views of the harbor.

Traditional Landscape

Keaton Project

NeSmith Landscapes

Jon Edwards

Water Features and Ponds

Good Earth Water Gardens

Wood Fences

VIKING FENCE CO

Terrraced Retaining Wall With Steps Leading To Upper Patio

The Sculpted Earth

Terraced Retaining Wall of AllenBlock Europa Series with low voltage landscape lighting and new plantings.

Outdoor Living Spaces

User

Lakeside Terraced Backyard

Mirror Lake Designs

Daniel Kelly Photography

Perennial Gardens

Maher & Greenwald Fine Gardens

Cedar Chestnut Hill Stepped on a Retaining Wall

AVO Fence & Supply

This beautiful Chestnut Hill fence enhances this property with its distinct style. The fence is custom-made to match the curvature the retaining wall. The rails are aligned achieving a pleasing appearance even as the fence is stepped down.

Governors Island Full Landscape Design Project

Belknap Landscape Company

Karen Bobotas

Retaining Walls with Grand Staircase

Elevate Outdoor

A combination of practicality and beauty. Two serpentine retaining walls culminate into a grand staircase that connects living space and yard.

Creative Outdoor Stairs Options using Allan Block Retaining Walls

Allan Block Retaining Wall and Patio Wall Systems

Allan Block products can be used to create many types of applications including stairs. These projects were built in Pennsylvania and Maryland using products from Nitterhouse Concrete. They offer great colors and textures to compliment any outdoor landscaping the customer has requested. This product encompassed the whole backyard with a custom pool. Additional photos are available. Photos provided by Allan Block Corporation

Backyard Pool Pressure Treated Timber Retaining Wall

Bailey Construction & Landscape Group, Inc

This is a closer view of the completed pressure treated timber wall behind the pool. This wall is used for erosion control and expansion of this yard.

Landscaping Highlights

Sisson Landscapes

Large scale plantings match the scale of the house.

Retaining wall

Choice Landscapes LLC

Various Project Details

The Virginia Gail Collection

Addition of pergola, stairs, planters and patio

Traditional Landscape

Terraced Dover Haven

a Blade of Grass

View from house level of peastone paths with fieldstone terraces and picket vegetable garden.

Traditional Garden Design Ideas with a Retaining Wall

Get Inspired by Traditional 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 traditional 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 Traditional Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.