I'd suggest you consider conifers, and look especially into junipers as you are on the sunny sides. I can't decide whether the pebbles will aggravate the heat on the plants through reflection or help to cool the soil for them. Likely a bit of both. The upright junipers include many interesting ones such as gold cone, a contorted form, and several blue ones like Wichita Blue, Blue Arrow, etc. Other than this, spruces may also like the conditions; again there are many ornamental varieties that can make for a very interesting display. Ask over on the Conifers forum for places to shop in your area. BUT to tell you the truth, many people jump to the conclusion that breaking up a wall requires planting AT the wall. It doesn't, depending on how much yard you have adjacent to the wall. If you have space, plant a tree or some deciduous shrubbery out there, and in many cases, from many angles, it softens the house wall just as well AND keeps the mess and habitat away from the house. Deciduous shrubs will grow out from any wall reaching for the light, which is why I wouldn't recommend them for a wall planting. KarinL

My inclination would be to define the property edge with a row, or double row of street trees. There is nothing that qualifies as an eyesore needing screening and no projected use of the side yard requires privacy. So why hide a nice view? I'd invite people passing by to look into and admire your yard. Street trees (limbed up so that the view is maintained, of course!) add order and stateliness, mark the property limits, generally dress it up and display your affection for it. How you handled the ground space below the trees would depend on their spacing and shade pattern. It could be grass, groundcover (something easy) or mulch. Because the location is some distance from the house and because you have time, if you wanted, you could use trees that are more unusual, Maclura pomifera for instance. They should look nice, but don't need to reek of high formality unless that's what you want. Where you need privacy for the back yard you could use sizable shrubs placed somewhere near the fence as a hedge or in carefully placed groupings. The end of the house needs a couple of trees to shield some of the blank wall space. They could be shade or flowering trees. They don't need to be jammed up on the house but could be spaced a distance away proportionate to their ultimate size. A few shrubs to fit with the lower level blank space could be worked into the scheme.

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-work-with-an-architect-stsetivw-vs~3182504[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-work-with-an-architect-stsetivw-vs~3182504) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/architects-toolbox-6-drawings-on-the-way-to-a-dream-home-stsetivw-vs~13648036[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/architects-toolbox-6-drawings-on-the-way-to-a-dream-home-stsetivw-vs~13648036) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-hire-the-right-architect-stsetivw-vs~22038031[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-hire-the-right-architect-stsetivw-vs~22038031) [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/go-beyond-the-basics-when-interviewing-architects-stsetivw-vs~23364465[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/go-beyond-the-basics-when-interviewing-architects-stsetivw-vs~23364465) ETA: Builders may or may not be working with an architect. Check your builder's designer's credentials and references. So many come here with a builder's plan that simply doesn't work. The most important step is hiring the right professional to design your home on your very specialized lot: an architect with design talent. Not all architects are the same.

The area is close enough to grade that concrete seems more appropriate as the solution. I wouldn't let present lack of knowledge keep you from finding out about it. The basics about concrete placement are fairly simple and straightforward. The process of placing a slab there would be simpler than building a deck. Yet it still requires that you do the right things at the right times. You can find about the basics by watching a few YouTube videos. You'll probably need one step down from the door. I'd make is spacious ... at least 24" depth x 5' width, centered with the door. Instead of looking at the 3 rectangles as separate areas, I'd view them as parts of a whole, and try to integrate whatever finish/technique you choose throughout the whole project ... rather than have it look like different pieces were added on at different times. One thing I'd caution you about with stamped concrete is that some patterns have too much texture for comfort. While they look great, they may be irritating to walk on for some people with certain shoes. Some nice, simple effects can be obtained with careful scoring patterns. I've seen slabs with 12" edge bands scored all around their border that looked quite handsome for very little added cost. There's a wide range of cost, depending on what you want. It would be easier to place the concrete, while the fence is not in the way, and then add the fence and gate afterward. Be sure to get the concrete level where the gate will cross it.