You do have alot of shade. Well you can research what would grow best in shade but these come to mind right away: hostas, camellias, hydrangeas, azaleas. I think the long narrow bed is too narrow, not deep enough. The porch is so pretty and the white trim really looks good with the shady setting. What I am going to suggest that you consider is widening that bed and maybe even including some of the trees into the bed. Make it curvy and grab a tree into the bed if it is close enough. I also like what is called island beds. And I have some where you make a big bed around a tree (don't go too deep with soil becoz of the tree roots) or connect two trees into one larger island. The National Wildlife Federation says that wildlife (like birds) like and feel safe in these islands. What about a brick path down the yard, I couldn't see where there was an entry onto the patio but a path would really connect the porch, long bed, and yard. I think you have a lovely setting there, if you're like me your only real problem is money!

Ignore the last photo, if you guys could help me apply a basic layout formula to this building, we can then work the rocks in, even if it is only to add groundcover to softer the sides. Should the 2 building be viewed as one? larger trees on outer corners? welcoming entry in the middle? Welcoming entry to the front and center emergency doors feels wrong and confusing. The center tree needs a few more limbs off... Thank you everyone here for all the help you provide. I was clueless, now I see that there is so much to know that my head is spinning. Thank you April

It looks like you're making progress. It's OK to put all manner of notes on the scratch drawing that you will use to create the base plan. But on the actual base plan, keep it as clean and uncluttered as possible, along these lines... Measurements would not show on the base plan, because the plan itself IS measured. And then, of course, you will need it to be accurate because that's what makes it useful in determining that things fit, or that the layout shapes work well. Your house is L-shaped in the pictures, so the plan will need to reflect that. For landscaping around the main portion of the yard, you probably won't want to work at a scale smaller than 1"=10', and that would require 16" length of paper in order to show just the width of your front yard. If you have affinity for the computer, you might consider drawing it on MS Paint, or any drawing program. (I like Paint because it's easy, available and works well.)

Your house is very attractive. A few suggestions. The bright white garage doors draw the eye to the part of the house that is less attractive than the front door. Paint it in a camouflage brown so it fades from view. The shutters are a country look that doesn't go with your house style. I'd remove them. Then just landscaping.