Help me come up with a plan...

[Rupietoot]

Just butting in here after reading the previous posts - Virginia creeper can be very invasive if you let it. I have one growing on the northeast side of a deck and it it growing under the deck in the sand! I get under there (it is high enough) every spring and fall and cut and pull lots away. I love it for the privacy but it can be a pain in the astilbe. As for lilies of the vally - I love them dearly but they will run everywhere they can...

What you have done in the side looks lovely - gardening is trial and error sometimes and is very forgiving. The main thing is to have fun and not to be afraid to experiment. The only thing I wish that I had done was find out which plants were invasive before I planted them....

Susan

[adayinthecountry]

Hi, You have a great back yard and a nice area to work with especially with the trees , so an option for sun and shade gardening.
I am a big fan of www.houzz.com for inspiration (click on Landscaping ideas) and of www.pintrest.com for more inspiration. I hope it helps.
A few raised garden beds would also work nicely in your back yard.

[adayinthecountry]

Somehow I missed the picture which shows you already have raised garden beds
I was thinking a nice long row of Annabell Hydrangeas, white Delphiniums, White peonies (or any color you like of course) and Hosta's would make a beautiful 'cool' garden against the gray fence and green background with a climbing Clematis like Josephine...so pretty.