Not every property you buy is going to have a backyard that’s as flat as a pancake. It might be the easiest to incorporate into a landscape design, but it’s often not the reality for everyone.

If you have a particularly tricky section due to lumps, bumps, and slopes, then you might strike trouble. How are you supposed to create an outdoor paradise when you can’t walk without tripping? Here are a few landscape design tips and ideas to help you on your way.

1. Consult an Expert

If you’re looking at your new backyard, scratching your head, then that’s a sure sign it’s time to call in a landscaping expert. If you haven’t yet figured out how to deal with the tricky terrain, then it’s likely you never will.

Instead, you may spend a lot of money on “might work” solutions. A landscaper can come to your house, discuss what you want and don’t want, then draw up a plan. You’ll have your dream backyard paradise in no time.

2. Build Walls

An excellent way to deal with elevation in your yard is by building walls. Retaining walls don’t have to look bland and dull, and they can create endless planting opportunities that work well with your landscape.

Broken-style concrete pavers, for example, offer plants the opportunity to grow into every nook and cranny, creating a plant wall that manages that elevation beautifully. Walls are some of the most popular landscape design ideas for tricky terrain.