In Florida I would never have a rose in the front yard because I'm only interested in scented tea ones and I don't use chemicals on mine so you do the math, they look horrible almost always. Aside from Belinda's Dream or a drift or knockout (of which sunny actually looks nice t me) I would expect them to look ratty in our hot+humid climate. If it were me planting something in a pot I would probably plant Senna didymobotrya (I have seen them in person and they really do smell like buttered popcorn! not suitable around children though because it is poisonous and the smell might entice people to nibble it) but I don't think this suits your style lol or Salvia greggii, a Texas sage species that has nice smelling leaves and comes in a variety of colors. They rot in-ground here but the ones in containers do well. I have 'Rose Pink' and I love its fresh almost spring green color and late March through autumn sporadic bloom period. For you I think if the area is partial sun to partial shade a grafted Gardenia (can you tree train them?) or maybe Plumeria (bring indoors in winter) would be cool.

Photos of the space? You can try the sideboard and see what you think, or hang sheers in front of the doors.

@Yardvaark firstly, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to shop that out so I could see it and thoroughly explain your feedback, I really appreciate it. Second, I do have some follow up questions to your post, but if you don't have the time/desire to reply, I do completely understand. I am just grateful for the initial feedback and I don't want to capitalize on anyone's time. Regarding our existing elm tree...I'm totally seeing the need to limb this up but I admit it's also very scary as I don't want to damage the tree. We inherited it this way as the previous owners did minimal maintenance. I am frustrated because I asked the certified arborist we hired what approach we should take with this tree and she told me that trees like this should only be minimally pruned with the smallest cuts possible and you never want to take large limbs out. But looking over these pictures my eyes are opened to how ridiculously large it looks covering our deck! I am afraid that the limb to the right you mentioned, however, is integral the tree at this point and don't want to totally stress it. I wonder if we could keep these limbs but really thin them up? Is that even a thing? I can have someone else out to take a look. Harder right now as we are in lock down. We were also told never to prune our elm after March 31st to avoid attracting the beetle that can spread dutch elm disease, so I'm afraid we have to wait until next year to fix this either way! Here is a picture of the elm closer up: And from the backside of the tree, note the left limb that is the right side from the street view is pretty connected to the main trunk: And regarding the street tree and redbud on left, from the placement in your mock up that's pretty spot on to where I was imagining them, so I'm happy I'm on the right track there. I am, however having second thoughts about the redbud only because upon seeing it I wonder if a tree there would block too much of the house creating something similar to what I'm currently dealing with on the right (albeit smaller scale with the size of the Redbud vs Elm). I'm really intrigued by your suggestion to curve the walkway, as this section has been totally stumping me. My husband strongly objects to curves because of our houses squared edges, but I am trying to show him the value of juxtaposition and contrasting lines. I agree with not wanting to close in the sides of the walkway, although I'll admit I was considering adding a front border at the street and planting there, so I'll definitely reconsider this. The one thing I'm not sure of though is continuing the pavers in the planting area in front of the courtyard. I've had my mind set on creating a little separation and privacy in this area as right now we are super exposed to our street. I want to sit out here and see my neighborhood but not be totally open to it, if that makes sense. I envisioned plantings in front of the courtyard that would create this soft separation, my husband has even suggested a low fence. So I don't know if I love the whole area being hardscaped. I tried a photoshop app on my phone so please forgive my shoddy attempt at this, but this is what I had in mind for that dirt area in front of the courtyard (not these specific plantings, but something mixed like a low grass, perennial shrub, and maybe dwarf evergreen shrub. Keeping things 3-4' max height and natural looking). I would wrap it around the whole courtyard towards the house and in front of the left brick wall. The dirt area here separating the courtyard from the walkway is 5' deep: But this is where I'm not sure if the Redbud would block off that left side too much. I think I would love the view from inside, but street view does it cover this side of the house? And then I thought well what if I didn't do the Redbud there, but maybe a cedar screen with some plantings so it's less of an obstruction but still living: I had really wanted to put a Redbud somewhere, just love them. Maybe in the center with the screen in the courtyard? But from straight on, I'm afraid it would block the front door too much. I cheated it left and forward a little here, but maybe that doesn't matter.. And finally (yes!) do you have any other alternatives to grass in that middle section? I was hoping to remove the grass for something less water heavy since we are keeping the other lawn areas. I was also wanting to alleviate the water hitting the hardscape so much when watering as we have hard water and calcium deposits abound. But if the lawn would really be best to tie in the two sides of our property, so be it. It's already irrigated anyway! I know this is so much info. I am trying to be thorough but also without expectation as I understand this is a lot. We have already spent money on a consult and design advice with the arborist/designer so I was just hoping to have a better picture before paying for more. Thank you again!

You're going to have to check out zoning or HOA regulations. And just from a PR perspective, you're going to have to be more fastidious in upkeep and design for a front yard vegetable garden. You will find LOTS of ideas if you look under "Edible Landscaping." Look for books or online information by Rosalind Creasy, she is a pioneer in edible landscaping and has her own front yard edible garden. At the very least I would consider some kind of fence or low retaining wall or something that creates a visual and physical barrier to the garden. You don't want locals randomly nabbing your peppers! I wouldn't plan on going hog wild in the front, because in your suburban setting you are going to attract a lot of wildlife that is going to try and munch on your garden, and keeping them out attractively is a stretch to say the least. I too only have good sun in my front yard. I have a small fenced raised bed vegetable garden, but there is a big evergreen tree in front of it and it is set back. The rest of my "edibles" are mixed in with my landscape planting. A nice dwarf apricot or plum tree would be an easy edible feature to add in your climate. Or maybe fig or citrus . . .