A couple of thoughts re: your post. Bougainvillea is going to be too big and thorny for a tight spot against a wall and public sidewalk, and in any case, would suffer regular freeze damage in a zone 14 setting. The Bermuda grass is likely to return without continued weeding and/or chemical treatment. Sandy soil in't necessarily a bad thing, and I'd advise leaving it in place and amending once/twice yearly with compost as mulch to build up the soil. Self clinging vines that will take hot sun and some winter frost might include semi-deciduous Macfadyena unguis cati or Boston Ivy. If you prefer evergreen vines with flowers and non-clinging, look at the Sunset Western Garden Book's list of vines, cross referenced with their list of heat/sun tolerant vines or espaliers. I'd stay away from anything that requires regular pruning in such a tight spot myself, unless you think the extra work is worth it. If you don't mind occasional trimming and occasional frost damage or need to cover with sheets in a bad winter; Lavender Star Flower shrub, Grewia occidentalis makes an excellent espaliered shrub that can easily be kept 12 to 18 inches deep and will stay flat against the wall, and can be purchased as already trained espaliers in either 5 or 15 gallon sizes. As compared to many vines, it can retain dense foliage to the ground, and is sprinkled with flowers nearly all year round. It will suffer from foliage burn when temps drop below about 28ðF, and can be badly damaged at 24ðF, making it somewhat risky for SSzone 14 locations, but is still widely used there against south or even better, west facing walls. Early morning sun after a freeze tends to exacerbate frost damage, so Grewia on a south facing wall will typically show some damage in winter, as would the Macfadyena or Bougainvillea. There are other choices that are fully hardy, refer to Sunset. Check out the Sunset book and their lists for more info, or if you're near the Markham Arboretum they'd probably have ideas to see/use. In any case, I'd think it useful to provide drip irrigation for what ever you end up planting there, as they will bake in summer.

Yipee, another young gardener. Who loves cottage gardens as do I. Last night dreams of your garden-to-be ran thru my head. Duh, the entire area can't be planted. OK, realistic plan B. Firstly get 1-2 shrubs planted to screen off the area beside the house. A green screen there provides a private sandbox area, potting area, hose storage, whatever you like. Diosma is a good shrub. Soft growth and a nice shade of green, good texture, bonus of bloom once a year. It would be look well with the birches and ivy. Nice growth rate. Let those agapanthus work for you. Take out one more clump. Plant one, or two, Grewia caffra (oops, reclassified as Grewia occidentalis --- Lavender Star Flower) close to the wall between the two agapanthus clumps. I would use another further down as well. No need to attach guide wires to the stucco unless hubby likes doing that kind of thing. It will grow as a natural espalier. Clip off any branches poking outwards when young. Will need a yearly shearing after established. Buy 6-7 (as needed) more Marguerites. Plant them as close as 1 1/2 ft. from the agapanthus (assuming you have marguerites that grow to 3 plus ft.). The agapanthus will then peek out between the marguerite's lacy foliage for excellent contrast and lushness. If you like shasta daisies a couple of clumps would combine well and provide cut flowers. The other plant that would be compatible (I think) are the large flowered hybrid Penstamons. Clumps of solid red or purple gladiolus here and there could be added later. As with all bulbs there is the drying foliage period. Yes, repeat in a long narrow bed unifies things. Since there is a 3 foot (?) width to work with, your choice of plants is limited. Marguerites are a great choice. I think I would not put more than 3 together (in a row - let your eye guide you). Pieces of it will root if you're on a tight budget and have the time. But no more lacy, ferny plants or it will become messy looking. Buy a few 16-20inch pots (the size which fits the overall scale of things) to place around the pool and indulge your love of annuals in them. Rosemary is great in a pot. And combines nicely with many annuals. Now the dog has his path and you have a restful, interesting, low maintenance bed to enhance your yard while the children grow. As Hoov said, your dream garden will happen. (how is astroturf on dogs' paws :-) ? Buy the Sunset Western Garden Book. It was my bible as a young newlywed in a first house. And I still consult it. Take pictures! You'll be glad you did. The 2 hardest things for me to learn were texture combos and scale. I was great on color! Enjoy. irisgal. PS. plants go in front of parts of the Grewia.

I have seen it as a bonsai indoors. I don't think it will flower as much without full sun though.

I went there once years ago but don't remember much about it. The grounds had been neglected and gotten very run down, and I think that at that time a group was still in the early stages of rehabilitating it. I do recall seeing R. banksiae 'Lutescens', which as I understand Sir Thomas Hanbury introduced from his Italian garden to England, and a lovely plant of 'General Schablikine'. In addition to his activities relating to gardening and botany, Sir Thomas was apparently a notable local philanthropist. My tremendously thorny 'La Mortola', a form or sport or hybrid of R. brunonii, originated there. These pergolas in the photos are lovely. Ours, made of rebar and bamboo, aren't, but they're respectable, in my eyes, and they hold up the roses just fine. We're in a period of pergola expansion right now, the effect of the still unrelenting sun. However, today's forecast finally includes a possibility of rain!! for two days! less than a week away! When I see such signs of commitment on the part of the weather service, I begin to hope. I was down in the big garden early this morning, and it looks like quite a few roses are in a state of extreme suffering. If they get killed in places, I'm not going to try to replace them with more roses, but will look for the kinds of plants that grow in the same condiitons as Italian cypresses and olives. The cypresses are among the very few plants that are happy down there. I'll take a survey once the weather allows me to get down there without my having to worry about heatstroke. I'm taking notes from people's suggestions. Thanks for all the ideas!