Beginner Gardening: Need help with landscaping for NC, 1 by Susieq77

Susieq77 wrote:
We live in NC and are definite beginners - so be nice! We have very sandy soil. Obviously the first thing needed is grass! We have sand spurs and we almost need to sod to take care of the sand spur problem or so we have been told. We have an acre of flat pasture land! We need lots of help. We have some knock out roses and loropetalum (sp?). I would love to see more flowering shrubs etc. The house faces north so we get very little direct sun. The back is just the opposite. There is a river birch tree that I believe was planted too close to the house. I am afraid of it eventually heaving up the sidewalk??? I would love to hear your ideas.

Thanks in advance!