If you are doing this on your own I would start small. You can always continue to add on. I always prefer natives and plants that are beneficial to wildlife. Is the space sunny, shady? Do you want bushes, flowers? Trying to screen under the patio? Do you cook How a bout some herbs in the mix. I would need to know more before making specific recommendations. The rocks are a great focus point to build around.

Thanks for your quick comments! I agree it's better start small. This area is kind of shady as it faces the east but there are high trees out there so some there will be limited sunlight in the morning. Prefer flowers or low bushes... Maybe some creeping phlox around the rock area. Thanks again.

I would cut a long curved line from the stairs off of your deck down to that side (garage?) door. That would define the edge of the small garden. You are right that those rocks would make a nice place for low growing phlox. This will be a mostly shade garden with part sun. You could just choose plants you like. Maybe a Limelight hydrangea in the back corner. It will eventually grow up to that deck railing. In a similar situation I grew an Olga Mezzit Rhododendron (pink spring flowers). It won't get as big as the Limelight, but it will fill that space that you can currently see through.

Mostly though, you should start to look at other gardens and see what plant or combinations of plants you like.

Steve

Appreciated Steve. These are great suggestions! Especially I like your idea of cutting a long curved line from the stair off to the garage side door. The two plants you recommended are great as well. I definitely will look at other gardens as references before I start!

I would have some bushes along the open area as well and agree the phlox or other low plant would work great on the rocks. I would try to take note of how many hours of light you are getting in the area so you have a good sense when you pick out plants at he nursery. You may also be able to put in some ferns if the area isn't too dry. Wen you are ready to get plants I would go to a local nursery rather than a big box store. They will know their stuff and can you pick out plants that will work for the area.

You don't want to plant too close to the house so that the plants don't damage your siding and there is room for you to walk behind them for maintenance once the plants have grown larger, so keep that along with the plant's eventual size in mind when you place them. I like Steve's bed shape suggestion, and the shrubs he suggests will grow loosely in your light levels, but should do fine. I would look exclusively for shade tolerant plants. Creeping phlox won't get enough sun there to do well, though crested iris (Iris crestata) will. Lady's mantle and European ginger are some other low growers that do fine in shade. Astilbe, Hosta, Gold Hakone grass, Heuchera (coral bells), Tiarella (foamy bells), and Heucherella (a cross between the previous 2) will be of low-medium height to add flowers and interesting foliage in front of your shrubs.

(In all honesty, the vast majority of us on the New England forum aren't pros, just avid gardeners. )

wow... thanks NHBabs! I made a right decision to ask here. Your selection of plants are awesome. For a rookie, an avid gardener IS a pro to me:)! thanks again. So eager to start the project now.

From the sparseness of the grass, I suspect a lot of poor quality backfill in this area. Is the house new construction? I would read up on improving soil. I've had good luck finding free composted manure but we have a utility trailer for hauling it. I agree with NHBabs' list of shade tolerant plants. If you are near Manchester, I would go to Uncanoonuc Perennials for plants and to see their shade garden area. There are other good nurseries in NH. I used to try to garden without enough sun and just wouldn't wake up to the fact that other plants would be happier than the ones I was trying to grow. Hostas vary in size and color plus some have delightfully fragrant flowers. Coral bells come in a variety of foliage colors. Happy gardening!

Uncanoonuc Mountain Perennials is definitely worth a day trip to Goffstown. There are some quite well done demonstration beds,

as well as extensive holding beds for perennials,

and a wide variety of plants in pots, even the weekend they closed for the season when this was taken.

(I have no affiliation with this nursery other than as someone who is a happy customer.)

I agree about a curving cut from the stairs to the door, and starting small. But also, since you have the boulders to the right of the stairs, I would try to plan for some future expansion of the garden area over to those right-hand boulders or a bit beyond, and have a curving path of flagstone or some pavers that naturalize with the rocks that are already there, going from the stairs to the door, which would make it easier to walk to, etc. and also cut down on grass mowing there (it looks like it might be a little difficult to mow there anyway). Then you could add a (very) small tree in the area to the right near the large boulders to balance the high deck. Something like a laburnum for some spring flowers, or maybe a Japanese maple. A good nursery will have suggestions. There are many kinds of ferns as well as some of the plants that have already been suggested here. I think the area has great potential, and I would use restraint (i.e. no white crushed stone or pink plastic flamingos! :D)

I forgot to say that I agree with defrost about the soil. For a garden to do well, it all starts with the soil. Composted manure, municipal compost, or a truckload of compost delivered from a commercial supplier would all be good. Resist the temptation to buy a few bags from a big box store or hardware store since you need quite a quantity to improve the soil. Improving the soil for the whole bed is easiest before planting and will yield the best results long run. Then after planting, mulch with shredded bark (undyed is best) to help conserve moisture and keep down weeds as well as adding organic matter over time. Don't use weed block fabric as it causes a multitude of problems, including weeds rooting into the fabric, soil issues, and problems with air and water movement.

Agree on amending the soil with compost when establishing the garden. Whatever you end up doing please share after pictures here!

thank you Bill, NHBabs, and FWC for your great comments. I will definitely post after pictures once the project is done. For now, I will start something small scale, but will bear your suggestions in mind for future expansion. This is exciting - never DIY before but I feel confident with all your advices. Thanks, enjoy the beautiful weather today if you are in NH!

Looks great!

Wow, nice! My back yard is very similar to yours, so your transformation gives me some interesting ideas....

Yes, it looks very inviting now. So clean and nice. Great job!