Hi Andrew,

Why don't you start by asking yourself (or telling us) how you use your back yard? Or, how you want to use it.

Maybe you just want a nice view--which would lead to a different answer than if you planned to use your yard for kids' games, or the pleasures of working in a garden, entertaining, or birdwatching, etc--or all of those things.

Carol

Hehe that would help huh. Yeah I want to use my backyard, we have a small patio on the back that is nice to sit on and look out into the yard but there really isnt much to see :( I would like maybe a sitting area in the corner where there is no grass. I have thought about maybe a wooden swing in the corner or something to that effect. This also might help, I have a dog. So maybe some dog friendly ideas as well.
Thanks.

I might plant an area like this with a mixed shrub planting, with something for every season, ie. plants that bloom at different times or have colorful foliage or branches, or interesting shapes. Leave space behind them because the dog WILL go along the fence line.

Maybe you can incorporate a nice wooden garden bench or glider, and a birdbath in the design, so there is something to look at from the patio and a place to sit if you wanted to.

That tree looks very lonely in the corner. Knock out some of the boards in your stockade fence, and take advantage of the existing greenery.

It may just be the light in the photos, but the soil looks pretty poor under the trees, and since there are probably roots you'll want to avoid messing with, something like this would be easier than trying to plant anything much right in the corner:

{{gwi:23863}}

Put newspaper or cardboard down over any grass, cover the light brown area with a shredded mulch--but don't bring it all the way up to the trunks of the trees. Grade looks higher there anyway. If you let the leaves lie in place each fall and cover with more mulch in the springtime, the soil should improve over time.

Either dig up (difficult) or make lasagna beds (easy) in the dark brown area and plant some shrubs that don't get too high, especially the center ones that you'll want to see over while you're in your swing. Should be room for a dog house back there, too. Set a path of stones or brick in somewhere between the bushes, and you and the dog will have a nice shady spot to hang out.

Flowers in front of the shrubs would look good from the house and a vine or two might be fun.

Good luck with your project, whatever you decide to do. -- Carol