I need help redesigning my 25-year old landscaping.

I have a post under dinok at the top of this page. It was suggested that I start a new thread, so here goes.

I want to update the landscaping on my 25-year old garden home that I have lived in four years. The previous owner planted buford holly under two narrow windows flanking the fireplace. There is nothing in front of the fireplace to connect the two holly. They were kept about the same size as when they came out of the container, therefore; the trunks are large but the bush was small. I have let it begin to get a little larger and am now ready to trim it. I would like to raise the bed but the holly would not like it. The bed itself is 3 to 4' deep and covered with landscape cloth and river rock. There is also some small plants (monkey grass (small). I plan to clean out the bed and do not know if I will replace the rocks and landscape cloth or not. The front of the fireplace is about 6' + wide and is flat. However, there is centered brick going up the front that gives the illusion (at least to me) that it is triangle. Triangle is what I think needs to be done in front of the fireplace.

Centered in front of the fireplace and in the center of the yard is a large Cedar Elm Tree that is beautiful. There is currently a landscape circle about five feet from the trunk of the tree. My mental desire is to expand the circle. Not sure if that is wise or not. If I can post a picture maybe someone or several someones can make suggestions.

The yard gets sun for only about 4 hours, then it is part sun and part shade. The area up around the porch/entrance and is quite shady. This area has Frog Fruit which would be pretty and acceptable if I could cultivate it and make it thicker. The lawn is St. Augustine and we do have a sprinkler system. So I have to be careful to plant things that don't mind being watered once a week.

I would like to do something with the area going up beside the driveway and sidewalk to the entrance. The sidewalk is next to the garage wall and is brick.

Because I have a bad back and other health problems that prevent my bending and stooping to weed, etc. I need to think carefully about what will work. I am hoping to use some native water saver plants but do not want a lot of cacti.

We live in south central Texas where it is hot and dry.

I hope I have painted a pretty good picture because I am not sure a picture can be posted at this time. Your good suggestions will be appreciated. Here goes my attempt to post pictures. Yeah it worked.

Nancy

Here is what I came up with for the front yard.
Omit lawn in the shadier area between tree and front door.
Make a retaining wall below the tree, but not so high that when it is filled the soil will be any higher than it is now on the trunk. One end, to the right in the picture, lines up with where the walkway turns. Then an arc below the tree. Then it heads for the property line, then turns toward the side yard. Plant the area above the wall with plants that thrive in the part shade and are low water use.
Keep the area below the wall (more sun) as lawn.
Blend of grassy looking plants and broad leaf plants, with some especially showy things closest to the walkway (see, I even painted some flowers on them!)
Tall something against the chimney. Could be a vine on a trellis, or a free standing shrub that stays pretty narrow. There are some variegated hollies that might look good. Pick up on the white of the bricks.

Have a look at the local arboretum and ask the experts. They ought to be able to suggest some plants that will work in this area.

Diana_K,

You are amazing. What I had wanted to do originally was eliminate the upper lawn by using flagstone, and bench and whatever. I absolutely love what you have presented and will take it with me to look at plants. I am so happy to have waited until ideas such as yours was presented. I will post more pictures showing what we are dealing with. The yard is actually on a small hill, not large but enough that it takes a bit of pedal power to back up the driveway. Fortunately each of the garden homes has a different elevation. Thank you. I will be sure to post my progress.
Nan

ladybug,
Agreed definitely something tall in front of the fireplace. In addition, the 2 little bushed under the window dont do justice to the area making it look boxed in. Consider moving them elsewhere in the yard. Cant say where from the limited pictures. I would extend a border starting at the right angle of the patio and then going out in a curvey pattern around the tree and back to the left side of the house leaving nice proportions as it rounds the tree. The other suggestions were also good. Good luck.