Amazon is right about Bermuda being tough and drought resistant. It would also be kid and pet friendly but it does have a dark side. It is extremely invasive which is okay if you don't mind it taking over your back yard, it is hard to get rid of if you later decide you don't want it, and it does go dormant in the winter. Just look before you leap with Bermuda. You didn't mention what part of Nevada you live in. I live in Las Vegas but conditions are so different in the Northern part of the state that plant selections would be very different. You sound like you want shade and of course there are shade structures available all over or great shade trees wherever you live. I think to get good help here you are going to need to be more specific. Do you want a lawn for the kids or would you rather have gravel or mulch for a ground cover. Do you want a tree for shade or would you rather have an arbor. Only you can answer those questions. Good Luck, Maria

We are on a hillside also, but our home is at the top. Previous owners have built block wall and railroad tie terraces. The tie terraces have 3 or 4 ties stacked horizontally, and secured with rebar. Higher terraces have railroad ties stacked vertically, again secured with rebar. The block wall terraces are concreted in. Because our hill drains down, and not to the house, drainage is not a concern like it will be for you. We have a variety of steps here. Some are poured concrete, others railroad ties, others are brick. I like your plan! It's hard for a Southern California girl to recommend plants, but a previous owner planted cascading rosemary and it looks pretty falling over the retaining walls. Surely you have something similar in your zone to get that look? I love the fire pit idea. That's on our list too! Suzi

We have 12' x 28' yard space between our back/outdoor living porch and our detached garage. It gets limited sun. This is what we look out at from the porch while eating/relaxing. We are leaning toward a flagstone type patio with grass, moss or similar in between the stones, (we had this in our former home). We plan to have a planted area along the garage. The second door at the back of the garage will be the access for lawn mower etc. We're considering a small step down with a larger landing area to accommodate that unless there was some type of natural looking ramp (ha!) we could incorporate. Not sure what to do at the end by fence as it slopes down. Plantings? Water feature? (we like more natural looking water features, not a fountain). Thanks in advance for suggestions/ideas.

some ideas using Red Dogwood, Black Dragon Cryptomeria, Southern Charm Dwarf Magnolia, Van H Spirea & Canyon Creek Abelia: