When thinking about how to plan a cottage garden, the key is to keep the layout simple, as the infill will be full and busy.

For a classic Southwest look, use traditional building materials like gravel pathways and walls made of adobe-mud or dry-stacked stone. Many contemporary landscapes combine traditional elements with more modern materials such as Cor-Ten steel and poured concrete for a striking hardscape design.

The southwest style is known for its Native American and Spanish details that contribute to the overall simple, functional and low maintenance landscape. The southwest design includes native plants, and incorporates bright, colorful building materials. Elements within Southwest gardens: Native American decor.

Desert Garden Tips Replace traditional grass with drought-tolerant ground cover, rocks, and gravel. In some cases, re-grading your yard may be necessary to funnel infrequent rains to areas where you have groups of plants. Use drought-tolerant plants where possible and set up a rain barrel to catch water for irrigation.

A formal garden design is built around balance, symmetry, straight lines and geometric shapes. There are certainly some plants that fit this style, but it can be more a matter of how you use them.

1. Start with just a single border.
2. Think about paths and walkways.
3. Add pretty garden accessories to draw the eye.
4. Create height to accentuate the vertical.
5. Test the soil.
6. Choose natural planting.

How to Level a Yard [8 Steps]

1. STEP 1: Mow Your Lawn.
2. STEP 2: Dethatch Your Lawn [As Needed]
3. STEP 3: Dig up the grass in the sunken area of the lawn.
4. STEP 4: Make Soil Mix: Topsoil, Sand and Compost.
5. STEP 5: Fill Sunken Areas and Holes with Soil Mixture.
6. STEP 6: Even Out the Entire Lawn.
7. STEP 7: Water the Lawn.

This Southwestern-style landscaping maximizes the use of the colorful desert shrubs and plants to give a unique scenery that complements the simple earthy tones of the home that looks like it was shaped by hand out of clay which makes for a unique pairing with the landscape. This is a classic and traditional home with matching landscaping.

This beautiful backyard has a unique Southwestern-style landscape adorned with rough and earthy orange rocks expertly laid out to create ledges and planters for the various colorful desert plants and shrubs that contrast the concrete walkway as well as the brown hue of the home.

Common elements within a Southwest garden: 1 Patio – areas are an important element within this design style. 2 Dry creek bed – is a great way to represent water within your southwest landscape. 3 Terracing – is recommended in areas where topography is sloped.

This is an example of a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant, partial sun and desert side yard brick landscaping in Phoenix. Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in Other for summer.