New Berm

A few weeks ago I decided to design a berm to add interest to our huge, largely boring front yard.

From a building site down the street that was doing extensive excavation, I received FREE (well, a $20.00 tip!) 2 dump trucks full of sandy loam. I was in heaven.

Today I hired a Bobcat guy to spread it roughly; tomorrow I will even things out and plant! I have no idea what I'll buy until I get to Home Depot or some other cheap nursery, as I need lots! I did buy 3 Leyland Junipers yesterday from HD and think they will be a nice "privacy wall" (one of my reasons for the berm) going through the middle (the berm is 50' by 25', roughly).

The berm is bounded by 5 present trees:

Magnolia (established tree)
Contorted Mulberry (baby tree)
Ginko Biloba (baby)
Liveoak (established but not huge)
Purple hop seed bush/small tree (baby)

Any suggestions/ advice? We have many summer days over 100 degrees, and not a lot of rain the last 5 years, but I have river water for a set fee each year and a sprinkler system already in place.

I'll post pictures soon!

Thanks!
Connie