Best of luck. It sounds exciting. Can't wait to see it develop. Can I come play in your back yard when it's done?

I have to agree that a design is the best spent money in a garden. The cost of the design will be cheaper than buying the wrong plants. Just be sure the designer is willing to listen to your input. I had a design done early this year because I had an idea of what I wanted but was having a hard time pulling the plant combinations together. It will probably end up being a 2-3 year plan.

GAmud

Yom, I think you are doing a very good thing, thinking ahead.
When we purchased our home (which we hope will be our last), my biggest concern that it was not on a hill that would need stairs. Which means of course we bought at the bottom of a hill with water issues, lol. I didn't quite think that one through enough :)
However, I'm a hot tub gal too. I've got plans to put one in, and a place all decided where to set it up. I bet with the two of your heads, you are going to come up with something spectacular!

GGG

The best thing we did was hire a landscape architech to do our back yard. People kept saying we should do it ourselves -- wrong!

We had grading issues, we needed a hill shored up so my driveway did not collapse and the pros are able to get materials and plants a much cheaper price than we can. Plus they do it all the time so they do a much better job.

I was lucky because we had someone who worked with us and was willing to do what we wanted (and could afford) and no more. It's been 2 years later and it's still coming along, but that is half the fun!

Landscape Architect!!!! That's the way to go. I don't mean a nursery with people to help...I mean a licensed Landscape Architect! Best thing we ever did. Bought a townhouse with absolutely NO front yard. Now with his help we have a wonderful front that's the envy of all and it made our non-existant yard look so much bigger!!!!

I agree with everyone...I tried for two years to design and plant my own garden. Looked terrible no matter what I did.

Talked hubby into investing in a professional landscaper (to the tune of $6K), and we wound up with a more beautiful garden then I had even dreamed of. Enjoyed it for 6 years, until we sold the house to down-scale our lives for retirement. Most landscape pros will work with any reasonable budget. We decided to go full tilt and include a cobble-stone-covered dining area and 2 20' trees, which added to the cost. Worth every nickle spent.

Oh, yes ... it was the landscaping that actually sold the house after being listed for only 4 days - at a nice profit, I might add.