It is difficult to tell from the photo how deep the beds are front to back. If they are less than 5’ or so, remove the brick walls as they will not look particularly attractive that narrow And you will be severely limited in plant choice.

Regarding the plants what are your particular interests? Because otherwise your question is really on the level of "What kind of car should I buy?" or "What should I have for dinner?". Leaving anybody answering to start with almost no basis for appropriate suggestions.

Yes: the brick retaining wall isn't the greatest thing to have there but what bugs me is that white thing sticking up in the middle - that really draws attention, distracts from the house.

The retaining wall isn’t very deep, less than three feet. I’ll have to discuss removing it with husband. I’m kind of liking that idea.

The chimney brick color is more orange than the brick on the front wall, that’s why I was thinking it should be painted?

Thanks for the replies!

If nothing else when you are ready to plant you can wander some independent garden centers, come home with that you like the look of. Big growers like Monrovia send their plants out with cards attached that tell what they do and need. Otherwise there may be signs up that the retailers have made themselves. Or you can ask for assistance while there.

Also in later years shoppers can be seen at nurseries looking up plants on their phones.

Embothrium, yes when we're ready for plants, we will make a trip to the garden center. Right now I'm stuck at home with the dog and workers, so thought I could do alittle pre planning :)

Thanks!

West facing can be tough on flowers. Do you have automated irrigation? Lavenders will grow in the heat. A favorite combination I grow is tall yellow kangaroo paws (Anigozanths flavidus) with Cordyline australis 'zumba' and a blue-grey succulent called "Chalk sticks" (Senecio mandraliscae). That may not be the kind of thing you have in mind. As has been said, it's hard to make a recommendation without knowing more about yoru garden style...