In the beginning, I thought this thread was about making use of what could be made into something good, and getting rid of the rest. I didn't understand that the focus was on using pieces of a landscape somewhere, somehow. It seems to me that many existing "pieces" of the puzzle, if used, will only guaranty an undesirable outcome. There are many smallish, highly ornamental, cute pairs of plants (bougainvillia, topiary, pompoms, etc.) that beg to be used to flank a passageway. But there are not that many passageways that need flanking. There are plants in bad positions that need to be moved, but they are too big to move without a great deal of trouble or expense. Though there are many pictures attached to the thread, they are isolated shots that don't link areas. It's hard to develop a fluid concept of the site. Truth is, trying to make sense of the existing puzzle pieces would be an unpleasant job if I could be there doing it on site. And that would be much easier than trying to do it by remote. I think it was mentioned that it would be a good idea to return some items. I understand the difficulty and unpleasantness with that, but honestly, I think that is the best suggestion. What this situation really needs is a good designer who can make a personal visit, and a willingness of the owner to find another way to dispose of all the things that don't fit or that can't be made to fit without too much sacrifice. I believe the owner does want a finished product that's actually nice. But there only so much a person can squeeze in before the objects begin to work against him. It doesn't need more "objects" as much as it needs continuity and linking. This is not an attempt to say "I'm out." I'm just saying that the project is frustrating and I wish I could help you more, Relleum, but other than offering piecemeal advice, don't know if I can.

ha ha its funny you mentioned burning bush, that is exactly what I was thinking. The juniper ground cover sounds nice, I would also add a couple of blueberry bushes in there if its not highly visible if you like blueberries. I personally think a large trellis there with a climbing rose would look spectacular, and would hide the window extension, radon tube, and the meter, killing all three birds with one magnificent stone. You could then compliment the color with 3-5 rose bushes near the burning if they have the same bloom time.

Oh goodness, that has to be one of the most positive and uplifting replies I've seen in awhile and it was to me! :) Thank you! I'm trying to read more threads here to get ideas. I do have a minor in art, so I do think the design classes I took help but I'm still not happy with the balance of most of what I've done. I'm even thinking of digging a 300-500 gallon koi pond this weekend but decided I should wait until next year once I've gotten these other projects completed. I just don't have too many friends around here so I don't have anyone to show thigns to and get honest answers--I like critiques! Like 'I think that rock would look better to the right' or 'those two platns on the side, have you thought about planting them at the front center?' Go Go Tangents Not sure if I already said this but the reason I really l ove rock-gardens is I want low-maintinance/low-water, since this is a drought area and I rather hate yards. This is inspired by my regular trips to San Diego. I also want to provide more vegetation and flowers for bees/butterflies (Would like to set up a monarch waystation in the backyard along side the path). I'm also trying to decide if I want to do a patio or a deck in the back as the yards uneven and I'd really like a flat solid area. I was considering investing and having a small sunroom/conservatory built onto the 4x12 patio that's already there but given ti's Texas--it'd probably be to hot to use in the summer and to cold in the winter. So my other plan is either a deck, or putting in retention walls to level out a half-circle infront of the current patio---should only need 2 feet high at the highest area, in theory. I have so many plans and ideas, but my biggest fear I think is that 1. The HOA is going to get mad at my landscaping decisions and 2. They're going to not look that great over-all and make it harder to sell our house (which is years away). Brick Path Progress - I'm wondering if I should do a slightly windy path straight back then curve to the patio (which is on the north-west side of the house, the gate is on the south-east side) or do a few circles (I might have to buy more bricks) with sand or little water features in the center. I'd like some kind of 'seperated' garden beds, because I kind of want to do a mini botanical garden / prenneial garden / Monarch waystation. Ideally with little plant name-plates of some sort, haha. Before - Did this about an hour ago. Was a square of rocks that had been painted orange by the neighbore. Told them when I moved in a year ago I was going to do something different with it and they said go ahead. So I removed all the rocks that were painted (the collar at the base of the mailbox, it was glossy and fake looking!) And here was what I had to work with. After - So I have my little rock garden! I had some pea-gravel and I turned rocks upside down that had been painted to have some larger rocks. I'm goign to clean up the outter edges so there is a cleaner line but I don't want it perfectly 'square'. I have a few more Chick n Hen succulents in the back I'm going to spot in there but I wanted the rocks to be the main feature. It's a little heavy on the right, I'm considering taking out the dark green Aloe (it won't survive the winter here anyways) and doing something more dense with chick n' hen succulents (which are my fav, and most will survive the winters here). Ideally I want those little succulents to grow over the sidewalk. I also have some pearl succulents I'm thinking of hanging in some kind of basket from the loops under the mailbox. Though again those won't live in the winter so I'd have to bring them in. Corner Garden - I need to put some more rocks on this one to give it more of a little rock-feel. Before - Yard, all grassy and what not. After - Inspired by some of the patterned succulent gardens I've seen online. Needs more rocks or a full ground-cover.

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!)