"What is the green plant in the foreground?" I forgot to mention, fill in all the blank space between whatever regrouped perennials and shrubs you were able to use, with groundcover. It could be something that already exists in the plot; you just add more. (I see something low growing at the foreground of the second picture but cannot tell what it is ... if a weed or a good groundcover.) Or it could be a new addition. I don't know what's there, or even where you are, so I'm not calling out a specific groundcover. Plants have to be moved at the right time and/or by the correct method, or they will suffer. Usually, with perennials, they will get over the suffering and move on. The stone curb has some pieces that look to be about 10" or 12" in dimension. It would look better if the entire curb had that uniform width. I'd reset the stones, trying to achieve that, if you have access to more of them. It would mean that some of the smaller stones get doubled up. I would also try to set their top surface with some uniformity. Weeds are always the bane of a bed that has exposed soil. Get rid of them as much as possible, up front. After the planting has concluded, cover all the exposed soil with a layer of plant-based mulch (wood chips, bark, hulls, etc.) Apply Preen according to mfg. directions. Preen is applied on a schedule so be sure to enter the reapply date in your calendar. I'm convinced this is where most people become dissatisfied with it and say it doesn't work. Also, it may not be as good during the first application simply because there will be spots missed. The subsequent application will bring improved results. My Lowe's sells a smallish Preen for almost $20. Home Depot sells a large tub of it (almost 3x the size) for under $30. I would recommend the latter as it is much cheaper per square foot.

You can plant fruit trees anywhere the conditions exist for them to grow well - front yard, back yard, side yard....... There are no "rules" about placement :-) As to what kind of fruit trees to grow, check what's on offer at local nurseries and garden centers. Not all kinds of fruit trees grow well everywhere. If I lived in SoCal, I'd for sure have a couple of citrus trees - lemons/limes - and probably an avocado.

Have you thought about a pittosporum? There are many different types, and they do well in SoCal, and do well as a green privacy screen. I am a little confused about where your property line is, and the hardscape on your property and what you want to keep. Maybe take your photos and thoughts to your local reputable garden center (where you get real live gardening advice) and ask if pittosporum would achieve your purposes, and if so which one(s.) I do love those dwarf pomegranates, too bad you can't eat them. Speaking of trees, why not plant something you can use. Like a lemon tree. Or two or three. Even their blossoms smell divine. How many figs can one person eat? Now, lemons, that is another matter. I don't know how old you are, but if that was my house, besides the lemon trees, I would build some raised beds. That would make it much easier for you to amend the soil and fertilize and plant and water and maintain in shorter amounts of time and energy, all without overly stressing your back and knees. You can even garden in a raised bed from a wheel chair if the width isn't too wide. Another advantage of raised beds is that the dogs won't get to them, nor can rabbits or most other varmints. Deer can, of course. I would have flowers, because one cannot live by bread (or fruit and vegetables) alone, and once you have grown your own fragrant roses, you'll never go back to store-bought again. Besides, a salad looks so much prettier with violas or pansies sprinkled on it. And for sure, grow things that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Maybe make your life easy and buy a wild flower mix and just sprinkle and water and be wonderfully surprised. Or get a cosmos mix and sow in un-fancy unfertilized soil and have great flowers forever. Buy a passel of Command hooks and affix to that wall with a string netting and sow sweet peas along the base, especially the fragrant ones, are they ever great in a simple slim vase. Or a mason jar. Put up a very simple water bath for the butterflies and hummingbirds, but get one with a simple bubbler, so you don't have stagnant water, you don't need to invite mosquitos and West Nile Virus. I would grow herbs, and which ones depend on what you need for your cooking. be careful though, mint will overtake the whole garden, so confine that to a pot, and many herbs will not do well with fertilizer, so please read up. In SoCal, tomatoes for sure. And pick ones that mature at different times so you always have a steady crop during harvesting season. Zucchini, peppers, eggplant, oh my. Ratatouille isn't just a movie. But try growing the mini varieties, you don't have that much space, and they are adorable! Also those micro-greens that cost a blooming fortune at the market. Too bad the stone wall isn't a bit higher, you could get some clever person to hook up a twee recirculating waterfall along some part of it with a tiny little bubbling pond with stacked rocks and moss, the motor hidden by the rocks. If you have children, for their benefit, tuck in a little tiny fairy or gnome. There are a myriad of references on the internet for raised gardening beds you can check out, including the best way to water them. Look at what I just found on the internet for outdoor water features or mini water gardens. https://www.diyncrafts.com/26347/home/gardening/20-charming-cheap-mini-water-garden-ideas-home-garden https://www.finegardening.com/article/make-a-big-splash-with-a-tiny-water-garden

zone is not enough ... we need a location.. big city name ... do you know your soil??? what direction does the front door face ... are the only shade trees the one on the left .... if there is clear sky above.. im not sure i would even call this part shade .. if this is a winter pic.. do you have a summer pic to see such?? winner winner chicken dinner is done.. more tomorrow ken