You need to give us a zone and major city. That looks like a mess of weeds that could be turned into a lovely garden with not much effort. That said, it might have once been a lovely garden and have some good plants in it already.

La Mesa, CA. I agree it is a big mess. Ahh suggestions for once the weeds and junk are cleared out?

I only see one tree and a palm in the background. Everything else looks like a shrub to small shrub.

Is the second picture the actual tree or a shrub? Don't know what it is.

The third picture is a carissa.

As far as the landscaping goes, keep the tree and simplify the underplanting to a single low shrub or groundcover depending on what kind of screening you want between the driveways.

Do you know what kind of plant the second picture is?

The second picture is a close up of a plant/tree? that is about 4 feet tall. Any chance it’s mango??

No, I don't know what the second plant is. Is it the actual tree or one of the bushes? You can post in the Name That Plant forum here. Good pictures of any of the unknowns in the bed should get them ID'd for you.

Thank you!!

No, it is not a mango.

2nd pic looks like Pittosporum undulatum.

Thank you! What do you think about the following plant combos in this space:

Jade (we have a ton on our property that I can transplant)
Pink Muhly grass
Lavender
Potential succulent ground cover plants or stones

Oh, I love pink Muhly grass. I'd plant it, if I could.

If you're in CA and have sun, grow California poppies.

I agree with the P. undulatum for #2. They can be beautiful trees (or shrubs). They also seed readily so they aren't rare or anything.

Thanks for the feedback!!

How much sun does that area get? It looks pretty shady to me........ If so, your choice of plants listed will not be very happy. They all prefer a LOT of sun.

It is pretty shady. Do you have recommendations? I’m very inexperienced, a little overwhelmed, and would ideally like for someone to tell me what to do 😂

Systematically photograph every different plant in the triangle and post them on the Name This Plant forum. Once you have your inventory, report back for suggestions how to edit. Don't be overwhelmed. Editing a lush landscape is much easier than starting from scratch in a problematic environment.

There are all kinds of people who would be happy to tell you what to do. You just need to be discerning in which ones to pay attention to. At this point there really is not enough information about this space to make wise suggestions.

What we know is there is a triangle shaped bed between two driveways, some shade, in la Mesa, Ca. It is currently planted with a hodge podge of things that includes Carissa, Elm and Pittosporum, two of which are possible invasives. There are numerous other factors to consider like the size of the space, the auto traffic involved and how this space needs to work for you.

kitasei2 suggestion is a wise place to start with an established planting.

Also, do you need visual screening here (added privacy or blocking an unsightly view) or is this planting aesthetic only? Several of the current plants are tall enough when combined with your lower site to provide screening.

Nah, I don’t need privacy really. My house is to the right and this spot is an awkward triangle between my and my neighbors driveway.

Im thinking keep the Natal plums, and then select some plants that do well in mostly shade and are drought tolerant. Def looking for low maintenance. Just want the area to look presentable and have some curb appeal. I know I need to clear out all the weeds, etc.

Okay. There is a nursery called High Country Gardens that specializes in xeric (low water) plants for the west. When you go to their website, enter your zone, "shade", and "waterwise". A designer named Lauren Springer Ogden worked with High Country Gardens to design pre-planned gardens for homeowners like yourself. You can also Google Lauren to see pictures from her portfolio for inspiration.