Since you answered your own posting it didn't hang around at the top of the forum list and is moving down pretty quickly - and a lot of people don't look past the top ten, so you may not get much response. But also, others may share my confusion about what you've presented and what you're really asking for. I'm afraid your two pictures have left me baffled as to where the deck is relative to the view of the back of the house, what the topography is (are those piles of dirt or an actual slope?), what the back yard looks like from inside it, and where your property begins and ends. I can't get a sense of the space at all. Finally, I can hear that you're feeling frustrated, but not sure what your primary objective is for the yard - distance view, nice space to be in, something to look out the window at. All that is to say that people can't offer much help unless you can give us/them clear questions and parameters. But here are my general thoughts, for what its worth from a protected zone 8 to unprotected zone 5! Can you create a protected zone with fencing or a hedge (assuming you can find a hedge plant that would survive?) Are there planting techniques that can help with survival, say planting in spring not fall? Can you plant trees outside the zone of the house, say trees that grow to twenty feet, thirty feet away? Finally, while it may take some time to figure out what will grow, plan the layout and the hardscape first (those piles of dirt look like they need retaining to me, for instance). Something amorphous like a wildflower meadow isn't going to look like much other than "junky" or weedy without a frame and a context, which retaining walls would provide. They would also frame and tidy up the distance view of the house. Maybe a few more photos would help. Others may be able to help with plant selection and care, although you may also check in to specific plant forums - tree forum, conifer forum, regional forum for your area, etc - for that. KarinL

My landscaping experience is DIYing/low budget in the Midatlantic on a bare suburban lot. Different climate but I relate to how overwhelming the blank slate is! If I were you I'd start small, focus on the landscaping around the house, and then work my way out. Mulching is easy and cheap, so getting some foundation beds established around the house would be my first goal. (Not sure if there are different considerations for mulch & foundation planting in Fla?) I'd also find a way to clean up the paths between the raised beds so I wouldn't have to worry about grass and weeds (gravel, pavers), and create some sort of border (shrubs, fence, herb & perennial garden) around the veg beds to visually establish the first outside "room," since that space is further along than any of your other planned spaces. Having one space defined will probably help you sort out what you want to do with the rest of it. Those two jobs alone would be plenty of work for this year. Later, as soon as I had the cash, I'd hire a pro to expand the porch/patio area off the house (you mentioned entertaining; that space looks cramped now, especially in relation to the size of the planned gazebo) and install a nice curving path to the gazebo pad. I'd make it my long-term goal to have garden beds along the entire fence perimeter because string trimming that much grass is a PITA! I'd also learn all I could about native plants for the area and climate-smart landscaping. No point in planting things that will be a burden. :)

I agree, produce a base plan showing all the existing elements, key dimensions and so on. But planning and reflection would be where I would recommend starting. As part of planning ask yourself what size and types of gatherings you would hope to host, what key activities would need to be supported by the outdoor spaces? How does the yard work with the entertaining spaces in your home? How could improving the yard inform the look and feel, function of those entertainment areas in your home? Do you have a terrace or deck by the house with transitions to other outdoor rooms? Will you have formal events or a mix of casual family friendly activities? Sports areas ie lawn bowling, playing catch, playing with kids, or no kids and adults only? Nighttime versus daytime vibe? Think about the seasons, holidays and so on as well. What might change over the year with usage patterns? Make a list and prioritize all of this to think through what you envision. What’s possible, where are the gaps? Do you have a partner or spouse and do they share your vision or? Would your entertaining be DIY or with catered? Or a mix? Bands, musicians, what would the needs be for that? Do you have dedicated storage for entertaining related items, access to power etc. in the yard? Buzz me if you need more insight I’m planning. Good luck!

Who does the container belong to? Could we see the whole space as it relates to your house. I would put a fence up first so you know exactly where your property is . and to hide the shed. The garage is yours I presume. the cheap is get a load of recycled tires sprspread them over the area and iether put a trampoline there for the kids or a hammock and some planters . Since I have no idea of the size of your patio IMO the bigger the better so you could extend the patio to under the tree.for a nice outdoor kitchen