As you can see, both sides of the back yard are identical. The lot is just 80 feet wide. We planted wildflowers on the slope; none survived.

Thank you very much.

Susanka

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:23546}}

...DH doesn't like the distance view of the house either; too dull and ordinary. We can't really fix this with trees because we're afraid they'll fall on the house. We have a bunch of trees in the front yard, which helps a bit but not much yet from the back view. I agree with all he's saying, the steps and patio, which is concrete, look sort of "junky".

Since you answered your own posting it didn't hang around at the top of the forum list and is moving down pretty quickly - and a lot of people don't look past the top ten, so you may not get much response. But also, others may share my confusion about what you've presented and what you're really asking for. I'm afraid your two pictures have left me baffled as to where the deck is relative to the view of the back of the house, what the topography is (are those piles of dirt or an actual slope?), what the back yard looks like from inside it, and where your property begins and ends. I can't get a sense of the space at all. Finally, I can hear that you're feeling frustrated, but not sure what your primary objective is for the yard - distance view, nice space to be in, something to look out the window at.

All that is to say that people can't offer much help unless you can give us/them clear questions and parameters. But here are my general thoughts, for what its worth from a protected zone 8 to unprotected zone 5!

Can you create a protected zone with fencing or a hedge (assuming you can find a hedge plant that would survive?) Are there planting techniques that can help with survival, say planting in spring not fall? Can you plant trees outside the zone of the house, say trees that grow to twenty feet, thirty feet away? Finally, while it may take some time to figure out what will grow, plan the layout and the hardscape first (those piles of dirt look like they need retaining to me, for instance). Something amorphous like a wildflower meadow isn't going to look like much other than "junky" or weedy without a frame and a context, which retaining walls would provide. They would also frame and tidy up the distance view of the house.

Maybe a few more photos would help. Others may be able to help with plant selection and care, although you may also check in to specific plant forums - tree forum, conifer forum, regional forum for your area, etc - for that.

KarinL

My initial impression in viewing your photos is that everything sort of blends into each other. Brown everywhere with no architectural features.

So, color is needed, even white. And architectural details. You can, for example, encase the support beams in fiberglass, composite or wood architectural columns. You can add railings, large and extra-large planters with trees, annuals, even shrubs. (And I mean big)

In essence, you need to add a variety of materials, textures, heights and colors for visual appeal. Start looking through magazines, websites, looking around your neighborhood and at local nurseries and gardens for inspiration.

Have fun!

The second picture posted was taken before the deck was built. Is that slope still bare as shown in the picture or have you been able to establish growth of any sort on it? Has your landscaper suggested covering the slope with erosion netting and then planting young creeping junipers? When dealing with straight line winds it is best to start with small plants and let them adjust to the situation.

I am concerned that the wooden steps, built just two years ago, are "warping and falling apart". Does this indicate poor workmanship on the part of the installer or that the soil piled and pushed to that location during construction is not stable?

As I study the picture of your garden beds on the slope it appears that the wind hits the house, forcing a cyclonic action which scours the plants. I suspect the two lower beds on either side of the steps is where you find it more difficult to grow. So, a method has to be found to break the wind in those beds. It may be as simple as setting perhaps five large pots in those beds planted with creeping junipers, moving them around until you find the spots where they will break the wind pattern and protect your plantings. Worth a try before moving to more expensive solutions such as building a wall along the upper edge and side of the outside slope garden.

"Elegance' in this situation may depend on your creative use of found objects. An interesting piece of wood hung from the bottom of the deck, perhaps. I see lots of small stones. With the new glues available, what can you create with them? What you will be able to grow is limited due to the wind. But, what your mind and hands could create is limitless.