We really need a lot more information.

How much of a slope? Can't tell from the photo. Tell us how many inches it drops over the 3 feet. Have you considered a low retaining wall at the bottom so that the bed is level?

Also, we need much wider views so walk backwards 10' to 15' and take a series of photos over a 180 degree sweep. Turn to your left, take a photo, and then continuing to stand in the same spot, take more photos that slightly overlap as you turn your body until you are facing to the right.

Is it sunny? Shady?

Why have you decided on only evergreens? Is there a view you want to block or wind that you are hoping to reduce? Do you have a height in mind?

Thank you NHbabs your response. It is sunny area west facing. I have tried planting some perennials like coneflowers and they did not survive because of winds and may be soil quality. This area has entire slope from the edge of patio in some area and some area has 1ft straight space to plant. I am open to planting any shrubs. I will post some pics. I have drift roses, spirea, daisies, some spring bulbs and salvia for the rest of the patio. I am open to plant suggestions for all borders.

Is there no desire for shade from small tree somewhere near patio/house? No desire for privacy? Is there the expectation that shrubs placed in the area of first picture will complete the landscape? I doubt it. To begin with, I think I'd be adding some topsoil in order to lessen the slope by blending it better (NOT raising it) into the surrounding grade.

Thank you Yardvaark. Yes we need to plant small trees and need help designing. Our soil is hard clay and I need outside help with digging. I can plant in established beds. I am just finishing up easy planting around patio soil and not really designing for any other purposes like Shade and Privacy. This patio is new and this is our first summer using it. Can you suggest any design ideas. We might live here for 5 more years. My trees might help future residents with shade and privacy.

How are people going to get off the patio and onto the lawn? If you have planting all round I suspect that there will soon be paths beaten through the beds onto the lawn.

Hi floral, We have two stepping stones on the east and south side and west side was supposed to be filled with some tall evergreens that provide color and privacy.

I see a swing set. I bet those kids will make a path through the west side too. The patio is so well built it seems a pity to just have rough stepping stones (trip hazard, no use for wheels e.g. barrows or kids toys, and potentially unstable). I really think it would be worth having a solid path or step down to the lawn.

Hi yardvaark, I tried taking some more pics and measurements. My neighbors house to the west side from my patio bed- 12 ft. East side 35ft from the patio east border. Thank you.

Hi Yardvaark,

one more picture east side. thanks again for looking at pics.

I'd prefer lawn around the patio instead of shrubs. You don't have any foundation plants so I am curious why you prefer to focus your attention on this one area. I suspect you need perimeter plants as well.

I'd put a uniform bed of something like day lily in front of the rock wall.

Hi Emmarene, thank you for your response. Our house is new built and we are first owners and I don't have any experience with planting before as it is our first house. I like gardening and like to plant roses and perennials. I learned gardening by reading this forum. Our builder did not give any trees or shrubs for backyard. I took quote from a landscape company they gave very high price. I know we need to add some trees and shrubs. I like your idea of planting daylillies.

I am not presenting this as a complete planting scheme, but only to introduce a couple of basic suggestions ... First, limit the bed primarily to the walled area and make it much deeper. Once plants attain some size, it's not going to feel good to have the patio seem penned in all the way around, save a small cut through path. Instead, add some topsoil to better blend the grade and bring the lawn up to the patio edge along a much larger portion. I'd place a small tree (like Japanese maple) centered in the bed and with the face of each wall. You could obtain some shade without sacrificing view out of the windows.

It might work out as it now is, but one never knows who will be neighbors in the future or how they will use their yard. I'd develop some screening near the lot line, if at all possible. It might be 3 or 4 arborvitaes or something more petite.

Yardvaark's plan solves the problem of access to the lawn from the patio.

I understand about price. If we knew your location someone might suggest some perimeter shrubs for you to start with.

As usual, Yardvaark has done a wonder with your yard. I have a new word to describe him, Wordsmith. He explains in a way I never could.

Thank you yaardvaark. Your plan looks much better than our current design. It is open for kids to play. It gives some shade and privacy. Thank you for your time and effort.

Hi Emmarene, we live in zone 5b Ohio. I need outside help to implement Yardvaark plan and also plan some shrubs or trees for perimeter. Yardvaark plan is simply beautiful.

Yaardvark is really in love with multi-trunked trees. Makes it a little difficult on the shade-bearing side. Some options: redbud, thornless honeylocust (very popular shade tree due to having small leaves that don't persist, not usually multi-trunked but very "branchy" if that's a word) and one I used to great effect, musclewood, scientific name Carpinus carolinia. It was a surprisingly fast growing and great little shade tree for my last patio. Kousa or native dogwood. River birch. A whole mess of japanese maple varieties, but I am in love with "fireglow" which is redder and smaller than "bloodgood" but that's nice too. Many of my friends have planted and loved the red maple/silver maple hybrids like "Autumn Blaze." Not multi-trunked but gorgeous in the fall. Some kind of awesome magnolia.

And for the kids, maybe an apple tree? Attracts bees though, but they are mainly interested in the flowers. But also attracts wasps later in the early fall if you don't keep the apple drops picked up.