"...do nurseries have landscape designers to work with or how would I go about finding one?" While you could benefit from working with the right designer, the wrong designer could as easily take you in the wrong direction. Many designers lean toward over-planting and designers that work for nurseries are often in the business of convincing you that the more plants you use, the better. You must be clear on your own overall goals and interests. If you see landscape work that you like you can inquire to find out who designed it. If you're near an urban area where there are landscape architects and designers, you could inquire to see examples of their work. You could also try calling a landscape architectural office that does commercial work and inquire if there is anyone doing residential work on the side. These days, there are also online designers, but to use them you would need to be willing to collect and supply raw data (mainly measurements and photographs.) The picture I made is intended to get you started in a direction, not be the "end all, be all." I'm sure other planting details could be added to spice it up a little... maybe some trellises with vines or climbing roses or something. The trees I painted are modeled after Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia soulangeana) of which there are many cultivars. (I'd lean toward a smaller ultimate size.) But there are other possibilities depending on the "flavor" that strikes you and if they grow well and are available in your area: PG Hydrangea, California Buckeye, Photinia*, Snowball Viburnum (macrocephalum), Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), Weeping Yaupon Holly (as long as they are female and you have a male nearby) as some examples. Whatever you pick, I'd grow it as a multi-trunk tree form and control the trunk structure from youth to create the desirable spread. *If Photinia fraserii grows well, it's a beautiful blooming tree if the top is unclipped. In some places it is prone to disease, in which case it shouldn't be considered. On the left where the drive appears to be elevated, I'd use a groundcover that is tall enough to come slightly above the level of drive. Variegated Solomon's Seal would be an example. At the porch, I'd use something that was lower. A solid bed of variegated Liriope could look nice.

Per usual, I'm offering a simple, basic planting layout/arrangement. It uses a couple of small trees to help provide a sense of "sheltering" and "nestling in," the minimum amount of shrubs so as not to smother or overwhelm, the standard color "cheer" at the steps and low groundcover to knit together the loose ends and provide a cushy platform for the house to rest on. Regardless of how the ground slopes or undulates, the shrubs would all be maintained to the exact same level, relative to the window heights. (They would be shaped like domes, not balls.) If there is anyway to do it, consider widening the walk as it approaches the steps, equal to their same width. The existing narrow walk makes the whole house look cheaper. (PS... the new pics were great!)

Designing is like investing in the stock market in that doesn't matter what happened yesterday but only matters what happens tomorrow and in the future. An investment mistake doesn't get better by being preserved. The questions is always, "What's the best way forward from here?" Sometimes mistakes can be too costly to fix and one might opt to live with them. But if there is a fix and it is reasonable and it makes life better, then it should be considered. Sometimes there are cheaper ways to fix things than one realizes so they should not shut down options until all are exhausted. I would not worry that seemingly a mistake might have been made with driveway placement. I'd just look at options from here on out and maybe a future brainstorm will result in a palatable solution. What matters is that the site planning and hardscaping are arranged and organized such that they function smoothly and look good and whatever those solutions turn out to be, planting will adapt. Planting is a bit like upholstering. It's going to conform to what underlies and precedes it as fabric will conform to the structure and cushions of a couch. Therefore, I wouldn't be too concerned at this point about the size of the lawn. I think you'll have opportunities to make it as you wish so long as you arrange buildings and drive in a way that is efficient and sensible. "Do you see any problem doing this but bringing it all in closer from the road like shown?" In a word, yes. It looks neither sensible or efficient. If there was going to be a drive paralleling the road and close to it, it's redundant and not efficient. The drive is getting far enough away from the entrance that it's beginning to warrant its own separate entrance and skipping the connecting drive. It would be helpful for you to justify the outbuilding positioning in that last pic so I could understand what's driving the decision. Also, answer about whether the barn/garage can be a single building or must be two ... or if the garage already is part of the house. I'm confused about that. Also, justify the seemingly huge parking lot. Why must there be such a large area for parking near the home?

If you’re fed up with having the worst yard on the block, your landscape beds are outdated and overgrown or you need some privacy from your neighbors, it may be time to consider upgrading your landscaping. A full-service landscape design/build firm can completely transform your property into the outdoor oasis you’ve been dreaming of – and increase the value of your home – if their team understands your goals for the project. That’s why it’s important to consider your family’s wants and needs for the space before engaging a landscape professional. “We like to tell people to think about scope, details and budget,” says Michael Beightol, a landscape architect with Exscape Designs in Novelty, Ohio. “What is the underlying problem you are looking to solve? What can we do to make your life better?” Before you sign on with a landscape contracting firm, be sure to think through the following items on the checklist below. Beightol adds, “You don’t need to come up with a design, but you do need to come up with the information that lets us design and build a landscape you will love.” SCOPE When it comes to the project’s scope, Beightol encourages clients to think holistically about the entire site, considering their goals, how they use the space and timing. When do you need the project completed? How long do you plan to stay in your home? Do you plan to put in a pool in a few years when your kids get older? You may think you just want a patio, but what are your plans down the line? Will you eventually want to renovate the front or side yards? “The goal is to have everything in the landscape working together congruently,” Beightol says. The more information you give your landscape designer, the better. Answers to the above questions and others may lead you down the path of creating a master plan rather than a standalone design for a single element like a pergola or pathway. A master plan, which can be installed in phases over several years, ensures a useful, well-designed property for years to come rather than a series of piecemeal projects. Additionally, it can save you money in the long run. “Maybe we can do the prep work for a future phase now, like pouring footers for a grill, even if those elements aren’t going in for a few years,” Beightol says. “It can make our work a lot easier and save the client money in terms of not having to damage and rebuild things in the future.” It’s also a good idea for all decision makers, such as both husband and wife, to be on the same page when working with a landscape designer. “Even if one partner is driving the project, we still want to hear opinions from both parties,” Beightol says. “It allows us to set the proper expectations and avoid a lack of communication that can really affect the end game.” DETAILS Next come the details, which Beightol says typically include reviewing the site’s existing conditions and also the clients’ styles and preferences. Site conditions include your property’s grade, problem areas, improperly placed trees or plants and other considerations. Your designer will collect many of these details during a site visit, but it’s helpful if the homeowner points out anything notable. In fact, Beightol suggests making a list of your landscape’s assets and liabilities prior to the design meeting. Assets include favorite trees or site lines you’d like to keep. Liabilities are things like wet spots, too-shady areas or undesirable views of the neighbors. When drawing up a plan, landscape designers will take cues from your home’s exterior to ensure a harmonious, tasteful aesthetic. Beightol adds that it’s a good idea to give your designer a peek inside your home, as well. “We want to see the views of the landscaping from the inside, and we also want an idea of your style,” he says. “The interior doesn’t always match the exterior, and we’ll want to discuss whether the yard should reflect the look of the outside of your house or your tastes.” In any case, look online or in home and gardening magazines and share your likes – colors, materials and plant selection – with your designer. BUDGET Before engaging a landscape company, it’s important to have a good grasp on how much money you’d like to spend – and don’t hesitate to share that figure with your designer, Beightol says. Consider your financing options and remember, a master plan with several phases installed across multiple years is always an option. “A lot of people are scared to share their budget,” Beightol says. “But they should know we as designers want to do the best work we can and get the most bang for their dollar. It doesn’t make sense for us to shortchange the client. We want every job to be a good referral.” It’s also beneficial to share your maintenance expectations with your designer. Do you plan to hire a company to maintain your landscape or will you do it yourself? Those details will have bearing on the types of plants a designer will include in your landscape bed, for example. It also gets you thinking about the time and money it will take to keep your property looking great. Keep in mind, you and your designer are working toward the same goal: a functional, beautiful outdoor space that your family will enjoy for years to come.