The aspect of rearranging a multitude of plants (of unknown quantities) you already have into other parts of the yard would be very complex, and therefore, difficult. It's not probable that you could get much comprehensive help by remote. You definitely have a knack for creating, ambition and some stock to work with. Even though certain aspects of the plan are a little funky looking by professional standards, what you've done nevertheless has charm and a certain homespun appeal that many people enjoy immensely. I don't mean any of that in any negative way. There are lots of lovely things around the world that are created like this. I would like to give you some food for thought as you progress with the project. Essentially, you are creating a functional piece of art. Because the main function is that of being a space that one is able to move through, it is easiest to think of it as a room or series of rooms (as you determine) that just happens to be outdoors. Therefore, it is made primarily of plants, dirt, trees and rocks ... those things that hold up well outdoors. Like inside, the room is made of "floor," "ceiling," "walls," "windows" and "doorways." If you were creating an indoor space, though you might have general ideas about them, you would not begin by dreaming about specific lamps, drapes, tables and chairs. You'd begin by thinking about window and door placements, wall textures and colors, trim and molding, floors and finishes, and how the ceiling will handle light. Later would come objects that go in the room that blend with the room itself: tables, chairs, lamps, rugs etc. For some odd reason, when we are creating outside space, people have the perpetual habit of falling in love with things ... objects (usually plants) that go in the room and start cramming the room full with their "pets" before they give much thought about the and architectural framework of the room itself. Outdoors, a tree or arbor creates a ceiling. A tree's canopy can not only seems like a roof, but also a very tall wall. Woody plants and vines can creates walls of whatever height one wishes. Sometimes they need extra support. Sometimes only trimming. Low growing, spreading plants create floors (as do rocks and earth.) Before thinking about irises, peonies and daffodils, it would be better to forget entirely about all the plants and concentrate on the forms, arrangements, heights and sizes that will define the room itself. You've all ready got a good start with a floor made of rock. Maybe it should be (visually) extended somewhat larger with a low growing, woolly looking mat of vegetation. It looks like you have begun a low wall already to separate the view into the neighbor's yard. Maybe a higher elevation "floor" (of plant material) should transition form the low floor to that wall. There are some good looking, freestanding "columns" (clean tree trunks ... very nice! ... almost palm tree like) to one side of the patio. Maybe each would look good resting on a circular base. You could begin by envisioning these "architectural" features of a plastic, formless material. (I once liked to think of everything being made of bread dough since it can take on any form.) Once the overall forms shape up, one could begin thinking about the specific character that will make up the forms. One might turn a ball of bread dough into a big leaf hydrangea, or a hedge of them. A pizza form that has been rolled out and placed next to the patio might become a bed of wild ginger or vinca minor ... it depends on what you like, what you have, the light and moisture conditions, and what you're willing to put up with. (Some plants have bad habits but they are so beautiful they must be tolerated!) You call the shots. I've gone on enough, but I think you get the general idea. Fall in love with the plants AFTER you know what you need and get those that can fill the bill. Sometimes a hedge can be a single plant material ... or it can be mixture of similar-sized plants, depending on the character that is desired. Usually, plant lovers can find a way to squeeze in -- in a sensible, artistic way -- most of the things they love. But if you don't do the architectural exercise first, you run the risk of creating something with a hodgepodge, cemetery-ish appearance ... with things sitting all over the place. It's good that you recognize the faults of the arbor. If it was at least 2' wider, a foot taller and made of beefier wood -- and painted! -- it would work better. I'll return with a hardscape suggestion when I get more time.

Yes, you have an unusual planting situation. Creating a raised bed or berm over tree roots which tend to grow just under the soil surface will, in time, kill the trees. Not a recommended practice in the horticultural world. Azaleas are shallow rooted shrubs which probably are not suitable for this situation. Based on experience I suggest the following approach. Lay flat, natural stone (the type used for walkways and dry walls) randomly about the space. Now, do a search for perennials suitable for dry growing areas. Many are evergreen. Many blossom or provide interesting texture. These are planted sideways in the ground with the roots under a flat stone. Mulch all heavily, even over the flat stones if you wish. The plants will quickly resume growing upright and become established, spreading and colonizing surviving on the moisture which collects beneath the rocks. With careful plant selection you will soon have an interesting garden. Two plants to try, among others, are Christmas fern and Santolina.

I'm not sure this sort of situation is within the purview of the Master Gardener program but I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask. I know it wouldn't be as far as my state's MG program works. It is your property. Therefore you have the final say on how it can be used and how it should appear. The fact that you run a business from this property should be something that they need to keep in mind and realize that the appearance of the property reflects on you and your business. It must be well kept and tidy at all times. There is really nothing fundamentally wrong with clay. It is a perfectly good growing medium, as is obvious if both the natives and the weeds are thriving. It just can be a little hard to work with, both when bone dry or overly wet. I would speak to the gardeners and explain the situation clearly and reasonably. Suggest that they organize a weekend work party to clear the plantings of weeds. Maybe even involve some of your employees (if any) that would be willing to help out. Once the berms are weed free, a good 2-3" thick application of a mulch - bark, wood chips, compost, etc. - will keep the weeds in check for the rest of the growing season with perhaps just a little attention now and again in case something nasty pops up. The mulch will have no negative impact on the existing natives other than to dissuade much self-seeding. And the mulch will eventually help to improve the textural quality of the berm soil as well as holding in moisture, reducing the need for a lot of watering. The appearance of the berms will be radically improved by just weeding and mulching. Mulching always gives a garden a finished, tidy look as well providing other, less visible benefits. If you give them choice between a weekend work party clean up and mulching or bulldozing the berms, I doubt there will be much argument. Just make your wishes clear in a calm, reasonable manner and don't let them walk all over you and your generosity of allowing them to use the property in the first place. Good luck!

Thanks for the comments! No deer in the area. Crazy neighbor hopefully is taken care of. I did get the budget for a few Nellie Stevens holly, which I planted on one side of the strip of pine trees, so they should hopefully get enough light. I'm also putting up garden fencing material to keep the kids from playing in there, which is also likely preventing things from growing. Will look into the mentioned plants. Are ferns low light tolerant? We did have very dense vegetation (Still do in unaffected areas), not sure what it is, but it's very dense vine/bush type of plant so nobody can walk through it (Which is good). Even in the Winter when the leaves fall off, it's still pretty dense. Currently, residents are walking their dogs back there so they don't have to pick up after their pets. I'm hoping this will help fertilize whatever starts growing, then I can fence it off completely so the dog activity doesn't disturb the growth. I also heard coffee grounds are good for plants, and was thinking of dumping my old grounds out there. Unfortunately I don't think I'll get the budget for fertilizer, or many more plants. One issue I'm concerned about is watering. They are nowhere near a faucet, and buckets would have to be carried, which isn't practical. I planted the Nellie Stevens with pieces of sponge by the roots in an attempt to store longer whatever water it gets. Not sure it helped. They are still green, which I suppose is a good sign.