It's really not hard for me to conceive of "no rain and long days". living in one of the driest areas in the nation (#1 in the Summer!) and going 9-10 months without a drop of rain, makes me very familiar with this issue. When I mentioned supplemental watering, perhaps you've misunderstood. No where did we make mention of OP having a 'huge swath of lawn'. I hardly think planting a few (maybe 8-15) types of shade loving plants (see Dougs drawing) as well as some native types, and having some drip irrigation, is going to cost an arm and leg or drain the state reservoirs. the area receives 38" average rainfall a year. I realize the numbers could be down, but nowhere near what our numbers are here in so cal. We've been averaging 5-9" over the last few years. So, I mentioned the supplemental watering for those few months where you don't get any rainfall. It's not that much! All you people are acting like we're proposing he plants acres of lawn! stop w/the dramatics and understand having a few plants that need a little extra watering in the summer is completely reasonable! Let me just share this tidbit regarding water conservation. I had the district water supervisor to my house to talk about water issues w/my home. because I have koi ponds that need frequent water changes, I was concerned about going over my limit and paying a fortune. He told me I was well within normal usage (and I have lawns and plenty of flowers and plants!) Anyway, he said during the summer they end up dumping thousands and thousands of gallons of water out to the ocean because of bacteria buildup. he said people do such a good job of not using water, the water sits in the sun and accumulates harmful bacteria that they can't treat safely and then use for potable water. So every few days they have to dump it. they don't even get to use it for irrigation. it's dumped down to the ocean. great huh? he said if the public knew about it they'd have a fit. so here we are letting our lawns die (which looks like crap and makes the neighborhood look like a ghetto. Badge of honor? I don't think so) while they dump off the water. On top of that great news, the water company isn't making the same revenue, so now they increase the rates to the people who have so diligently cut back on their usage. So here's my take on that,,,,,conserve water, have all your landscaping die off, and get charged more money,,,,, only to have the saved water get thrown down to the ocean. Yeah, no. not happening. I'll water my lawn and my plants as I see fit. I won't be wasteful and i'll conserve where I can (I water w/my pond water that's getting changed out) and let the lawn stay a tad on the dry side w/o completely dying.

I like your house colors enough that I wouldn't paint unless the finish is deteriorated enough that painting is necessary. When painting comes, I'd darken the body color a couple of degrees so as to have more contrast with the white trim. I might explore ways of incorporating more white trim, too. As far as plants, I'm not making recommendations of specific plants or colors to use, but am suggesting general layout, shapes & forms, approximate sizes, etc. Where you live, maybe there's a dozen different plants you could use around the tree. It would be up to you to find the one out of that group that has the most appeal and that would grow well in that spot. You could research ground covers & perennials on your own, or you could post the drawing in that, or your regional forum, and see if anyone has suggestions for something that could work. And then you could research those suggestions to see if it's what appeals to you. (For the drawing, I used the plant that you already have growing there for inspiration, trying to draw more of it. I don't know what it is, but it looks to be doing well. If it's good to you, you just need about a hundred times as much as what's there now.)

Those white painted rocks in the pics above make the house look like its made of marshmallow fluff! Not a good look. OP, Im willing to bet that those rocks are on the front only, am I right? Usually I argue in favor of saving original house parts but i have to say, the 50s thing for attaching fake rocks or brick veneer to the front only (like we cant see the sides??) is really annoying. Take it off! (Be sure to post after pics). Glad the tree is staying. Its not that close, and looks to be in good shape - a good tree adds value to a house. When the time comes redoing your front beds and adding a snazzy new door will add much more appeal.

Hi jjags. I do like your color selections except for the front door. You might consider making one of the two front doors a lot more prominent as I don't know which one currently is the actual front door. There are several ways to address this confusing issue including but not limited to the following; 1. Extend the porch out farther for the real front door. 2. Paint the non front door & railing a color that blends in with the siding color. 3. Address landscaping to help direct your eye to the real front door. 4. Paint the real front door a BOLD COLOR and not a shade of black. 5. Also, as you said, no shutters is a good idea. Best of luck on your project. Jerome DeMarco ART.chitecture