I would find a budget way to do a fence. You can almost certainly do it for what you're planning to spend on plants, and its advantages outweigh plants by a huge margin. A planter box would be no cheaper either. The plan of using plants has so many disadvantages that, until you'd said why you weren't considering a fence, there was just nothing to say about a way to do it well. A fence takes no space. Works for the purposes you intend. Has immediate effectiveness, and year-round effectiveness. Is no work to maintain. Can still have plants, which are easy to install after a fence is in, while a fence is harder to build once plants are in place. You can even do the fence in phases. Not that the plants won't be a phased approach too! But your fence can be effective while you phase it in. Seek out lumber in creative ways: craigslist free listings is a favourite. Cruise industrial alleys for pallets. But here's the thing: the bones of a fence need only be posts, and a few rails, which to start with could be just 1x2s or whatever you can locate. If you get the dog later, then you can invest in 2x4 rails and pickets, or panels. I think it would be a good investment to put in new posts; I don't think this would much exceed the cost of the plants you've proposed. Maybe a post hole digger would even be a good investment and affordable; I got one for only $70. If you ultimately want a tall fence, use tall posts (set the correct distance apart) - your fence can be short to start with. KarinL

Nancy...I had briefly thought sunflowers since birds could as well eat the seeds. But as you mention...not near enough sun. I absolutely LOVE foxgloves...my son bought me some for this past years Mother's Day. I worry though about the raccoon that do climb up on the fence...breaking their stocks down. But I am looking for some color to add...Rose champions are beautiful! Never even knew about them...(what I like from this forum is the knowledge of so many who do know of spectacular plants!) Cyn, funny you mention dry brushing another color to the fence...my husband is painting the remainder of that birdhouse a brown. I thought to use that...and dry brush it on the cream picket fence to mute it down a bit...but, now that you mention the red...which is the roof's top color of the birdhouse. I am pondering possibly going that route as well. (Though I was second guessing dry brushing a second color...you have made me bold in wanting to definitely do it now!) I will have to google some of the names you put for suggestions...because I am not aware of a few. I do have hostas back near that area though. Though I met one woman...who cuts the stocks before they bloom OFF! She thinks it makes them look messy. (That was the first I had ever heard if one doing that) Appreciate all your input...I am thrilled with the idea of putting something back there...besides a shrub it is amazing how tunnel vision my brain can get though. For I had thought that my only option.

Oh YUM! That shrimp dish looks delish! I was just reading a recipe recently that called for preserved lemons. Thank you for posting the recipe. Unfortunately, my kitchen is in the process of being demolished so it'll be awhile before I can make them, but when I have my new kitchen, it just might be one of the 1st things I make...then the shrimp dish! Your son sounds like a very talented chef! Thanks again for sharing the recipes. alex, that tree is unbelievable! I'm getting a Meyers Lemon tree now!!

Really like your front yard shade trees. Agree with others: not a fan of the shutters. Have you checked local building codes to see what you can and cannot add and where -- you should do that before you invest any money in any additional planning or construction. It appears you already have a brown horizontal support beam across the right front of the house supporting the roof over your small stoop. Perhaps you could use that beam to help support a porch across the right half of the house (the length of that beam) that wraps around the right side w/a shed roof w/three hip corners -- one hip at the corner of the house and another at each end of the "L" shaped porch roof. Alternately: A "setback" rule might prevent you from building an "L" shaped porch that wraps around the side of the home -- but it is likely you could still add a porch across the right front half. You could still use hip corners on each end of the porch; you could also add a small forward facing gable over the entry/doorway. If you add a third floor or even just a larger dormer, the steps and access to them will likely take up floor space in your second floor even if they're atop the existing stairwell. Do consider that as you make your plans. Whether or not you add a third floor, you could use faux gable to break up the boxy look on the sides of your home. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/145874475400203632/?lp=true