Garden Transformations: Incredible Turnarounds

Check out these before and after images of backyards transformed from boring to beautiful.

By: Jessica Yonker

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Photo By: Image courtesy of Austin Ganim Landscape Design

Photo By: Image courtesy of BWigley

Photo By: Image courtesy of grb1204

Photo By: Image courtesy of Donna1943

Photo By: Image courtesy of dan.franco

Photo By: Image courtesy of Ralph Bladen

Photo By: Image courtesy of sparklesweb

Photo By: Image courtesy of thermley

Photo By: Image courtesy of gennysyard

Before: Laying the Groundwork for a Children's Garden

This Fairfield, Connecticut backyard was divided into two main levels in order to create a special elevated garden. A playhouse and children's garden occupies one level and a lush green lawn for more active play occupies the other.

After: A Creative Children's Space

This finished garden allows children to revel in nature. To reach the playhouse, the children ascend a staircase of monolithic fieldstone slabs, lined with strawberry plants and pass between dwarf fruit trees and blueberry bushes. The view from the playhouse porch swing overlooks a bird and butterfly garden. The hillside planting incorporates ornamental grasses, evergreens and perennials for winter interest, along with vibrant flowering plants and shrubs that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators during the summer.

Before: A Boring Old Privacy Wall

HGTV fan BWigley felt her vacant privacy wall was an eyesore.

After: Vibrant, Vintage Planting Table

BWigley found an antique door while rummaging through an old family barn and used it to create a planting table to liven up her deck. She incorporated several items recovered from her family’s barn to use as planters.

Before: Water Park Remains

This backyard hosted what was left of an old water park.

After: Poolside Escape

The homeowner brought back all the fun without the chaos by installing a pool and retaining walls that house trees and shrubs.

Before: Just a Yard

HGTV fan Donna's yard didn't have any flair, so she slowly started work on creating a beautiful outdoor space.

After: Quaint and Colorful

11 years later, Donna's trees have matured and she has created a beautiful space for both gardening and relaxing.

Before: Bamboozled

HGTV fan Dan's yard was full of out-of-control bamboo that loomed over his home.

After: Grow-It-Yourself Garden

Dan did away with the bamboo and now the yard features custom-built raised beds for growing edibles.

Before: Cookie Cutter Curb Appeal

This HGTV Curb Appeal candidate needed a major burst of color.

After: Color Punched

The home got a makeover with ocean blue paint, a canary yellow door, a new outdoor seating area and ornamental plants brightening up the front yard.

Before: No Harmony

Designer Ralph Bladen was asked to turn this unused area overrun by ficus tree roots into a striking summer refuge.

After, Part 1: Zen Garden

A major overhaul turned the previously cluttered space into a tranquil retreat. HDesigner Ralph Bladen fashioned a staircase from poured concrete with bamboo for rails.

After, Part 2: A Feng-Shui Feel

Also included in the makeover are a custom reflecting pool, lounge chairs and shade-loving plants arranged behind a retaining wall.

Before: Sad Side Yard

After removing eight pine trees (and piles of pine needles), this side yard needed some major TLC.

After: Budget Mini Garden

HGTV fan sparklesweb pulled off this amazing transformation with only a $500 budget, adding a dry creek bed and perennial plants. A whimsical bridge makes this space feel like its own little retreat.

Before: Rock Pile

When HGTV fan Tommy first purchased his home, all he found in the yard was a pile of rocks.

After, Part 1: Repurposed Rock Beds

Tommy put the rocks to use, stacking them to build beds for his flowers.

After, Part 2: Picket Fence Treatment

HGTV fan Tommy also installed a picket fence to create a garden sanctuary. He built raised beds with old decking material he rescued from a friend.

Before: Lonely Retaining Wall

HGTV fan Genny was tired of looking at this barren retaining wall.

After: Garden Oasis

Genny went all out, cleaning up the old retaining wall and installing a beautiful backyard waterfall.