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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Garden
  3. Type: Drought-tolerant

Small Xeriscape Garden Ideas and Designs

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Meditation Garden
Meditation Garden
Ross Land StudioRoss Land Studio
An unused area of lawn has been repurposed as a meditation garden. The meandering path of limestone step stones weaves through a birch grove. The matrix planting of carex grasses is interspersed with flowering natives throughout the season. Fall is spectacular with the blooming of aromatic asters.
LOW WATER LANDSCAPE GARDENS
LOW WATER LANDSCAPE GARDENS
Marc Mason Landscape ServicesMarc Mason Landscape Services
Marc Mason Landscape Services
Photo of a small traditional front xeriscape full sun garden for summer in Orange County.
North Park Eclectic Landscape
North Park Eclectic Landscape
Revolution LandscapeRevolution Landscape
Colored concrete pathway with drought tolerant plantings and dry riverbed.
Design ideas for a small side xeriscape full sun garden in San Diego with a garden path and concrete paving.
Coan Waterfront Landscape, Camano Island, WA
Coan Waterfront Landscape, Camano Island, WA
Lankford Associates Landscape ArchitectsLankford Associates Landscape Architects
From the street, a round rock pathway leads to a small seating area next to the water with a small fire pit. Low maintenance, drought resistant and salt tolerant plantings were used in mass and clumps. This garden has become the focus of the neighborhood with many visitors stopping and enjoying what has become a neighborhood landmark. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Photo by R. Scott Lankford
Ravenna Bungalow
Ravenna Bungalow
Hayes Landscape Design ServicesHayes Landscape Design Services
Inspiration for a small classic back xeriscape full sun garden for summer in Seattle with a garden path, natural stone paving and a wood fence.
Mid Century Modern in the Hollywood Hills - Front Patio
Mid Century Modern in the Hollywood Hills - Front Patio
Bosler Earth DesignBosler Earth Design
Designer’s Notes: Use mixed materials such as concrete pavers, wood, various stones and decomposed granite to add interesting plant textures to add appeal. ©Daniel Bosler Photography
Ladera Ranch Modern Farmhouse
Ladera Ranch Modern Farmhouse
Living Gardens Landscape DesignLiving Gardens Landscape Design
Our homeowners were looking for a garden where they could sit by the fire, grow vegetable and hear the sound of water. Their home was new construction in a modern farmhouse style. We used gravel and concrete as paving. Board formed concrete firepit keeps it feeling modern. The vegetable beds supply season vegetables and herbs.
The edible garden / Garden for a London chef
The edible garden / Garden for a London chef
Barbara Samitier GardensBarbara Samitier Gardens
Anna Batchelor
Design ideas for a small contemporary back xeriscape full sun garden for spring in London with a vegetable patch and natural stone paving.
Rosedale Modern Courtyard
Rosedale Modern Courtyard
Native Edge LandscapeNative Edge Landscape
This duplex has a very modern aesthetic with focuses on clean lines and metal accents. However, the front courtyard was undeveloped and uninviting. We worked with the client to tie the courtyard and the property together by adding clean, monochromatic details with a heavy focus on texture. The main goal of this project was to add a low-maintenance outdoor living space that was an extension of the home. The small space and harsh sun exposure limited the plant pallet, but we were able to use lush plant material to maximize the space. A monochromatic pallet makes for a perfect backdrop for focal points and key pieces. The circular fire-pit was used to break up the 90 degree angles of the space, and also played off the round pottery.
Decomposed granite path with low water succulents, grasses and shrubs
Decomposed granite path with low water succulents, grasses and shrubs
June Scott DesignJune Scott Design
Succulents, grasses and low-water shrubs with vivid foliage give this coastal garden a rich, textured look with minimal maintenance. Photos by Daniel Bosler
Potrero Hill Lookout
Potrero Hill Lookout
Seed Studio Landscape DesignSeed Studio Landscape Design
photo by Seed Studio, editing by TR PhotoStudio
Inspiration for a small modern back xeriscape full sun garden in San Francisco with gravel and a fire feature.
Coastal Entry Garden
Coastal Entry Garden
Sacred Garden NY LLCSacred Garden NY LLC
Coastal Entry Garden
This is an example of a small coastal front xeriscape full sun garden in New York with a pathway and decorative stones.
Cotswolds Cottage
Cotswolds Cottage
Imperfect InteriorsImperfect Interiors
We added climbing jasmine, roses, foxgloves & geraniums to the gravelled courtyard garden at our Cotswolds Cottage project. Interior Design by Imperfect Interiors Armada Cottage is available to rent at www.armadacottagecotswolds.co.uk
Curtis park rehabilitation
Curtis park rehabilitation
Genesis LandscapesGenesis Landscapes
BEFORE
Inspiration for a small traditional front xeriscape garden in Sacramento.
Las Lomas Drought Tolerant
Las Lomas Drought Tolerant
Yard MavenYard Maven
Photo of a small mediterranean back xeriscape garden in Los Angeles.
3D rendering for a landscape project - Cozy small firepit area for a modern home
3D rendering for a landscape project - Cozy small firepit area for a modern home
Vscape - Outdoor DesignVscape - Outdoor Design
3D rendering for a landscape design project in Claremont, CA.
Photo of a small mediterranean front xeriscape partial sun garden for spring in Los Angeles with a fire feature, natural stone paving and a wood fence.
Modern Small Orinda Garden
Modern Small Orinda Garden
Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.Garden Lights Landscape and Pool Development Inc.
Small modern front xeriscape partial sun garden for autumn in San Francisco with decorative stones and a wood fence.
Not Just a Side Yard
Not Just a Side Yard
Wildflower Landscape Design at K&D LandscapingWildflower Landscape Design at K&D Landscaping
This is an example of a small contemporary side xeriscape partial sun garden in San Francisco with a flowerbed.
Seattle Cottage
Seattle Cottage
SCJ Studio Landscape ArchitectureSCJ Studio Landscape Architecture
Small classic front xeriscape and private full sun garden in Seattle with concrete paving.
South Pasadena Craftsman Cottage
South Pasadena Craftsman Cottage
June Scott DesignJune Scott Design
This driveway features a ribbon of stones and California native grasses that meanders along a Hollywood-style center planting area.
Inspiration for a small traditional front xeriscape partial sun garden for spring in Los Angeles with a garden path and concrete paving.

Small Xeriscape Garden Ideas and Designs

A beautifully designed garden is as important as the emphasis we place on the designs of our interiors. After all, our grounds (however modest) frame our homes and contribute to first impressions not only of our houses, but also of the households within. Options for garden designs can be as elaborate or low maintenance as your lifestyle and preferences permit – consider both your aspirations for how it should look and how much time you can invest in garden maintenance. Consulting a gardener or landscape designer will ensure you have a garden that suits your lifestyle, the local climate and soil conditions. But don’t forget that with Houzz your first stop can be collecting images of garden ideas and designs you love in order to inspire your garden plans and potentially share them with a landscape gardening professional.

How do I come up with a front garden design?

The priority for a front garden is kerb appeal. Begin by considering the area immediately around and leading up to your front door. You may want to opt for front garden designs that blend well with the style of your home – for example, abundant foliage and flowerbeds will perfectly complement a period property, whereas man-made materials, geometric shapes and contrasting textures are great ideas for a contemporary garden design. Even if your front garden is a small space, keep it tidy – if you have more space, make the most of it with garden ideas and features such as a manicured lawn, gravel driveway, water feature or garden fencing. If you don’t have the time or commitment to devote to gardening, then neatly pruned hedges, statement paving, hanging baskets, garden benches and outdoor lighting are all decorative, low maintenance garden ideas for your front garden design.

How should I design my back garden?

Back gardens typically offer more space than front garden designs and serve a more recreational purpose, so it’s important to know how you want to spend time in your garden before you design it in order to build in the features that you will enjoy. If you love relaxing in the garden and dining al fresco, think about patios, decking, garden furniture and BBQs. For the more horticulturally-inclined, incorporate flower beds, greenhouses or vegetable garden designs. Your landscape gardening professional can help you install structures such as sheds, pergolas and gazebos that complement your garden design, and artfully-placed garden ideas such as lawn edging and lighting will add definition to your chosen design.

How do I create a low maintenance garden?

The great news is, gardens aren’t exclusively for the green-fingered. Whether you’re not horticulturally-inclined or simply don’t have the time for a bit of landscape gardening, you can still have a garden design that looks the way you want by making some smart design choices. While many of us favour low maintenance gardens like urban gardens, roof terraces and patio gardens, lovers of greenery don’t need to sacrifice grass for paving slabs. Whatever you want from your garden, there are a variety of gardening solutions that can be built in to make life easier. For example, labour intensive features such as vegetable patches, greenhouses and flower beds can be optimised with an automatic irrigation system. These can be offset with fuss-free garden ideas such as hard landscaping, including gravel, paving or decking, and hard-wearing evergreens that require minimal upkeep. You might even consider replacing your garden fencing with slow growing hedging, which can be maintained less regularly than wooden fence panels. If having a lawn is important, there are different types of grasses in varying degrees of durability and maintenance. You may choose to take a more relaxed approach to your lawn – “wild” garden designs can have great charm if the grasses and flowers are chosen carefully. If you prefer a manicured lawn, it’s a good idea to invest in a “mulching” lawn mower that will recycle clippings and remove the need for cleaning up. Finally, there isn’t a more low maintenance garden lawn than artificial grass which can look highly realistic and keep your garden looking green. Garden ornaments are a great way to add interest to your low maintenance garden design – go for smart garden ideas such as solar garden lights which are both decorative and functional. Find some of the most popular design ideas on Houzz.
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