PaloVerde or Mesquite tree would be a nice addition

Firestick plant (Euphorbia tirucalli) would also add some nice color,,,I'd plant two or three right up against the wall.

Or put them in some brightly glazed ceramic pots like cobalt or the bright green, and set those against the wall.

just plant some of the more colorful selections to give it a bit more oomph

Love the first photo Irene. And Beth H, like the Firestick plants. Wow, some great ideas.

You can never have too many big rocks. I think yours are just to haphazardly and almost evenly spread about. Rocks tend to occur naturally in veins, outcroppings and groups.

Go outside and play with your rocks. Move them around into groups and arrangements that look more natural or more pleasing to your eye. The dry streambed is a good place to add some so they look like natural stream channel edges.

Play with your big rocks. When you are happy with their new layout, see where open space is left for new plants.

Roger, do not get the sap of the firestick plant on your hands. and if you do, don't be stupid and lick it off. Don't ask.

The trees idea is the best. Your yard and house exterior need softening and shade and that's what trees will add. The tree in that comment was perfect because its leaves have a lacy effect rather than a solid claustrophobic umbrella look. Mix in herb plants like rosemary, thyme, basil with your cacti for their lovely fragrance and again a softening effect. Also, any additional rocks you choose should be a neutral earth color, not white or red or any other color. You don't want them to stand out. You want them to just be a finishing border for the plants.

I picked those two trees because I'm guessing you're in the Southwest somewhere? those do well in hot weather.

I totally agree with Christopher. Move your rocks into groups instead of leaving them strewn around.

Palo Verdes are beautiful in bloom, but they are a gawdawful mess. I would never ever plant one. And once they're established, they're impossible to kill. Try Chilean mesquite: beautiful, fast growing, not so messy.

I think mesquites are a lot of mess, but grovers rocks look much better!

Shari13, did you mean river rocks?

Thanks Groveraxle, will try that. We thought that the way the rocks currently are did not look right. With what you did, it make the yard more appealing.

Beth H., thank you. We bought a firestick plant this morning. Gee, when we had it in the car, it felt like we were breathing in cayenne pepper despite being wrapped up in a bag.

We live in Nevada, and was told no Mesquite trees because they create deep roots in search of water and thus can cause foundation damage eventually.

We also like the suggestion from Groveraxle as well and we are looking to get a few large Golden Barrel Cactus too. Irene Morresey provided us a design for a paving stone path too.

Lastly, we appreciate the comments from everyone on here as we are just not creative enough on how to fix our yard. We really love Houzz, with the various discussions/forums, and their furniture, which we also purchased.

We'll be checking in everyday, and once we get started, and will post some final photos. Thank you everyone!

To make hardscape look natural one must "plant" their big rocks. I agree...with above posters comment of making sure you have two or three rocks together ever so often. Not familiar with your climate...so won't go into plants.

Thanks, we did combine the rocks. Today it was 107, the same tomorrow. But want to thank you and everyone for their input.

Here's what we did. We will probably add more succulents later this fall. We also eliminated the plant sitting on the wall.

Bougainvillea loves heat.

looks good Roger. get a Firestick succulent or two, and plant them near the wall, or in pic #1, at about 7 o'clock, between those two rocks in the shadow of the palm tree. good spot for one.

(Euphorbia tirucalli),,,once they get established, they will bush out and get really cool looking

honestly, just ask some neighbors for some cuttings and stick them in the ground. water every few weeks or so and they'll root on their own. The aeoniums are super easy and fast multipliers

Be careful with euphorbia, too. Handle with gloves and long sleeves to avoid a rash.

Yes, we know, we have some in a planter already. Beautiful plants though.