To be frank, I think the raised wall waterfall as it is situated, and the palms flanking it, are space-destroying elements. These elements are placed in the prime "window" to the water views. Now all of the water view is broken up into small, less important looking segments. We use nature's ideas (like a grove of trees) in order to make artistic statements in the landscape that have some power. The grove is a single element made up of many small parts. Adding parts that are of a different artistic family will not make the whole element read stronger, but weaker. Suppose you are creating a hardwood floor. Would it look better to intermix many wood types -- oak, cherry, bamboo, etc.? It would look like a bargain basement mess! Your present groups of palms are single lines of widely spaced palms. To me they look skimpy even after I've added more. If anything, I'd consider beefing them up with even a couple more -- of same type plants -- to each group. Calling tubs of color a "container garden" makes it sound like a planter with a lot of variety. I think it would be much more powerful to have planters that contain a single variety, and possibly repeat them where there is room for another planter. These are the kinds of things that are figured out more or less toward the end of the planning process (since they are like furniture) after you know what space is available and where the permanently installed elements will be. For #6, what I mean by large flowering shrub is ... a large shrub that flowers! :-) The intent is to screen the neighbor's pool cage and give a sense of privacy. Therefore, it must be a shrub that is tall enough to do that. Well, why not specify that the shrub puts on a show at least once per year? And actually, it could be SMALL trees combined with a hedge behind, or some such thing. Or it could be an evergreen screen that doesn't flower but just looks really good anyway. The main idea is that is screens and looks good.

I grow lots of fruit trees here. Fruit trees go good with roses as long as the trees dont get too big and shade the roses out too much. I just planted Mermaid rose yesterday several feet from a shrubby LSU purple fig. The LSU Purple figs dont get too dense of a canopy. I also grow: Starfruit, figs, dwarf black mulberry, Longan, lots of citrus (several lemon varieties, 2 Buddah's Hand, 4 Red Fingerlimes, Blood Orange, Ray Ruby grapefruit, Thai Lime, Persian lime), Hass avocado, Then I have a Miracle fruit and 15 little Jackfruit seedlings that are a few feet high lol. Also have dragonfruit and some diff types of berries, grapes. Probably more that Im forgetting about right now lol.

Thank you @HU-257553069!!! :) By 1/3 you mean all same size slabs but all set subway tile style to every third? just trying to make sure I understand what you describe... I looked at Permacon too but the Colors were busier and not as light (the ones in the display).. I thought lighter would look nicer. There’s the Blu smooth in Beige cream too but I wasn’t too sure if there was actually too much yellow for the cream/grey/orangy/browny colour of the house. yes was thinking of adding a sectional in the top Right corner with a table and high potted planters. i Also want to add 2 lounge chairs, and a fire pit... not sure where to put everything. the hot tub will be on the left as pictured. There will be 23 feet of interlock up to the first column (from the house). After that 4 feet from the column (as it is right now). The set up is stressing me out too. Is it okay to have more than one seating area? And to have areas that do not necessarily face each other? finally, not sure if you have an idea but I was going to do a 3 post pergola over the hot tub (with a bar facing the river) but I am thinking the post near the corner sofa will be in the way (Of people in the hot tub, on the sofa or sitting at the bar). What about a half pergola (only 2 posts on the Left, facing the left neighbo)? it would give some height, some warmth with the wood and something to hang lights to. Apologies for the really long post!!

Sometimes you have to work with what you have. If you address the soft landscape and vertical space it will detract from the concrete deck. Be grateful that the deck is neutral and now painted aquamarine blue. I would take out the raise bed with the artificial turf and remove all of the small pots and small planting beds. Fill any cracks in the deck and have it smoothed out so that the pool coping is refreshed and more of a feature. You could also skim coat the brick wall to create more of a stucco wall or cover with wood to add a warmer texture to the backyard. I would de-emphasize them by putting tall, container friendly trees along the wall. All uniform, same size, colour, shape and the same trees. You could do the same thing with grasses. Vines could be used to disguise the wall and to create vertical interest. Columnar trees could work in containers if you choose dwarf varieties. Grasses are inexpensive and can be very architectural and bring in colour and shapes. But repeating the same plant in the same container simplifies the landscape and is pleasing to the eye. You will find that the deck becomes a none issue after you pare back on the different types of plant. I would keep the multi coloured bush in your third picture it has a nice shape and colour. Just clear out everything around the base and put rocks with a few small shrubs (three of the same should do it) to make that tree the focal point. But only plant at the widest section of the planting bed. The undulating bed wall is a bit outdated. If you could remove it and then use rocks in the bed around the tree with more grasses that would update it. Limit your yard to 3 -5 different plants and repeat, repeat, repeat. You're lucky to have a pool and ample room for entertaining. You just have too many different things going on. Enjoy.