New Yard Photos and Updated Info.

Someone asked about drainage--There is drainage occurring down middle of front yard so I think a dry creek bed would help with heavy rains. I'll start trimming undergrowth today.

Yard next to driveway at bottom of slope.

New photo:

Here's a pic. Of the left side of front yard. Wooden steps are behind the tree on left next to truck.

New Photo:

This is a front view of yard. It overlooks a small lake. There is a porch on top and bottom levels next to house.

Do you know your USDA zone? You can find it with your zip code.

My zone is 7b.

low growing juniper.

You may also want to make a path with woodchips or gravel or pavers to identify the walkway. Don't forget to tidy up the area by removing the dead branches and debris. Even a bare area under a grove of trees can look great if covered with some kind of ground cover even pine needles. Then add something for interest, bench, sculpture, urn of flowers etc.

Looks like you have some azaleas in there too. I might just let it be wild, perhaps with some added rock clusters for interest, and/or some vines (myrtle? etc.) let loose underneath for groundcover.

You're not showing us much of the front -- it might be that a key feature would be a nice curving walkway and/or a low wall on either side with some lighting. Then let the woods be woods.

Hi--thanks for all your ideas. I plan to use some of them as I rework the area.

Hellebore are attractive, spreading, shade loving, and deer don't touch them.

How bout: cut all trees and shrubs that grow near the house, as the land is clear and full sun, plant lots of ornamental grass like feather grass / fountain grass as base (just one variety - late summer to fall to frost), and scatter around lots of bulbous plants around the ornamental grass; just one / two variety of lilium regale (very intense summer fragrance & pop out summer color) & mixed naturalising daffodils (for loads of spring color). All are easy and will keep naturalising and flowering with little / no care.

Spring look:

Summer look:

Fall look:

Wow! these are great ideas! I'll look into the grasses and bulb varieties. thanks!

We also have a large sloping wooded lot, but live in a very fire-prone area. Don't know if that applies to your location. We followed guidelines to remove vegetation around the house to improve fire safety, and still maintain the beauty of the natural growth. This may or may not be a consideration in your plan.