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

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.
Oak Tree Setting With Hillside Views, Landscape Renovation, Northern California
Oak Tree Setting With Hillside Views, Landscape Renovation, Northern California
Dig Your Garden Landscape DesignDig Your Garden Landscape Design
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
Modern Tranquility
Modern Tranquility
Campion Walker LandscapesCampion Walker Landscapes
To anchor a modern house, designed by Frederick Fisher & Partners, Campion Walker brought in a mature oak grove that at first frames the home and then invites the visitor to explore the grounds including an intimate culinary garden and stone fruit orchard. The neglected hillside on the back of the property once overgrown with ivy was transformed into a California native oak woodland, with under-planting of ceanothus and manzanitas. We used recycled water to create a dramatic water feature cut directly into the limestone entranceway framed by a cacti and succulent garden.
Lafayette 2
Lafayette 2
Envision Landscape StudioEnvision Landscape Studio
Photo of a large modern sloped xeriscape full sun garden in San Francisco with a retaining wall and gravel.
Traditional Beach Cottage
Traditional Beach Cottage
Wildflower Landscape Design at K&D LandscapingWildflower Landscape Design at K&D Landscaping
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Photo of a medium sized traditional front xeriscape partial sun garden in San Francisco with natural stone paving and a flowerbed.
Contemporary yard for a contemporary house
Contemporary yard for a contemporary house
Blue Hibiscus GardensBlue Hibiscus Gardens
IPE wood at installation has the redder color.
Medium sized contemporary front xeriscape partial sun garden in San Francisco with a garden path and natural stone paving.
Modern Lines
Modern Lines
Designscapes Colorado Inc.Designscapes Colorado Inc.
As you enter through the front door, you can see straight through the house into the backyard. Photographed by David Lauer Photography
This is an example of a modern front xeriscape garden for summer in Denver with a garden path.
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.
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.
Bighorn Palm Desert luxury home with modern design
Bighorn Palm Desert luxury home with modern design
Whipple Russell ArchitectsWhipple Russell Architects
Bighorn Palm Desert luxury home with modern design. Photo by William MacCollum.
Medium sized modern front xeriscape full sun garden in Los Angeles with a desert look, gravel and a wood fence.
Front + Backyard Design (Colorado)
Front + Backyard Design (Colorado)
Tilly | Landscape DesignTilly | Landscape Design
This customer was looking to add privacy, use less water, include raised bed garden and fire pit...making it all more their style which was a blend between modern and farmhouse.
Steel Edging
Steel Edging
Landscape Management GroupLandscape Management Group
Design ideas for a side xeriscape partial sun garden with decorative stones.
Dramatic Streetscape Planting
Dramatic Streetscape Planting
Eden Garden DesignEden Garden Design
Striking Texas native botanical design with local river rock top dressing. Photographer: Greg Thomas, http://optphotography.com/
Stonehouse Meadow - Early Summer
Stonehouse Meadow - Early Summer
Lavish GardensLavish Gardens
A path through the Stonehouse Meadow, with Monarda in full bloom. Ecological landscaping
This is an example of an expansive rustic front xeriscape full sun garden for summer in Toronto with a flowerbed and a stone fence.
Use Stone for Warmth
Use Stone for Warmth
Ecoscape Environmental DesignEcoscape Environmental Design
Low masonry retaining wall separates the yard, and allows for a layering of heights and containment of faster growing species. The rock retains heat, creating micro-zones that can help temperature sensitive flowers through our capricious Colorado springtime!
desierto curvazon
desierto curvazon
Bianchi DesignBianchi Design
Inspiration for a medium sized front xeriscape garden in Phoenix with gravel.
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
Stylish Digs in Echo Park
Stylish Digs in Echo Park
Urban Oasis Landscape DesignUrban Oasis Landscape Design
Large picture windows looked out onto the empty narrow side yard. Our solution was to create a dramatic 3D modular installation with CorTen Planters filled with low maintenance cacti.
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.
Seating area with large built-in bench seating and boulder fire pit
Seating area with large built-in bench seating and boulder fire pit
June Scott DesignJune Scott Design
Rock outcroppings make a striking background for new lounge areas in this compact Los Angeles hillside garden. Working with the attributes of the site, we added native plants to drape over the stone, and converted hollowed stone planters into a firepit and water feature. New built-in seating and a cozy hammock complete the relaxing space, and dramatic lighting makes it come alive at night. Photo by Martin Cox Photography.

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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