first pic... why are you leaving that giant monstrosity???? ... just wondering ...

second pic .... same ???? with the other two huge.. planted too close to the house ... starting to outgrow the height of the house TREES???

if you are going to go ... go big..isnt that the TX motto .. lol ...

i ask.. because instead of working around them.. and then later removing and having a hard time working new stuff into what you might plant now ... you should come up with a 2 or 3 year plan ...

also .. it would be much easier to remove the one in the first pic now.. when you dont have a garden to stomp on ...

ken

I see your point, but that monstrosity does block some of the direct sun that hits on the brick fireplace wall. BUT, assuming it was a blank canvas, any other suggestions?

Plant a shade tree that you can look out from beneath and then remove the privet after the tree is providing enough shade.

Where are you located?

North of Houston, Texas

Regarding the monstrous shrub in the first picture ... if you were to convert it to the tree form by removing all side branches from its lower half, leaving its trunks, it would be a lot more acceptable (less overwhelming) to the space.

I'll try making it into a tree. Thanks!

The best part is that results are only an hour away ... not years.

ideas for the side:

may I ask what exactly is the "monstrosity"? just curious...

Ligustrum gone wild

Ligustrum japonicum - it's the privet I referred to last Sunday. Rather than it having been allowed to go wild the homeliness of it it due to the maintenance shearing of it into a somewhat clumsy shape. This example does appear to have a heavy stem near the ground that might imply there is an internal structure running up through the crown that would lend itself to arborizing. (Rather than a hedge like mass of numerous small stems throughout). However there would still be the problem of Japanese privet not having attractive bark or stems. If Red Berry Homes can see into the back of it from the house side - as is likely - then they can decide if they think looking at the bottom half of what is already there, but without any leaves on that portion would be appealing.

The plant you are unsure of is Nandina planted in clusters.

Red Berry Homes, I just wanted to comment on how this post made me laugh. Having grown up in an area with brutal sun, my first thought upon seeing your top photo was secret pleasure at how that big "monstrosity" would block the relentless sun and its heat. It is indeed not a garden's best design element, but the hot sun on brick walls is like living in a brick pizza oven. Here's hoping to good shade and cool breezes for you!