Maintaining small plants and gardens in that hillside environment looks like it would be a nightmare to me, as it is not really fun to work on that much slope. The first impression I get is of an open, overexposed location where homes are probably blasted by the elements. I'd rather see a lot of trees holding things down ... at least around the perimeter of the yard. It would also not be fun to mow around plants that are scattered about the hillside like tombstones ... nor would that look good. Need to start with a tree scheme, even if they are only strategically located.

You need to acquaint people with the larger area. What are the distant views and neighborhood like?

Thanks for your comments. We live at the very end of a quiet neighborhood. Our entire street was built by the same builder, the street before us (the houses seen in the hillside view) by another. Houses are pretty close together as shown in the pics I included. The back hillside gets full sun all afternoon. I also added a few pics of what I was thinking about as far as “islands” but on a much smaller level. My husband mostly cuts the hillside with a weed eater as it’s just easier and a bit more safe.

...to get an idea of the houses to the left and right.

It's a mystery why the whole neighborhood seems basically treeless. At the front yard I would add trees and groundcover. Some parts of the lawn look too steep to mow grass. Trees that produce fall color would be especially nice.

Yardvaark, thanks again for your info. and illustration. It’s very much appreciated. Our neighborhood isn’t totally treeless, lol. There are trees about every two houses. We actually had a tree but it died, unfortunately. I’ve been searching for a tri-color beech at local nurseries but haven’t been successful. I absolutely LOVE that tree and I think it would be a nice ornamental for the front yard along with a few more after seeing your illustration. We replaced the retaining wall, front porch, railings and added the light post last fall. We are now needing to replace shrubs & etc. under the porch that were lost during that process. Also removing/replacing the overgrown shrubs to the front left corner of the house. Still trying to figure that out. Would love to see what you would do to the back yard. Just something little to stop me from feeling depressed every time I am back there.

Barbara, the trouble with giving advice on the back yard is that, so far, you have not presented a good comprehensive view of it. We've only seen snips looking at pieces from this way or that, so can't actually even comprehend the view you're seeing. Stand on the ground near the back, center of your house and take a series of slightly overlapping photos as you pan (pivot the camera) across the whole yard, from left to right. In the first and last photos, we should be seeing the neighboring houses.

So sorry for the delay, and you’re right, I have only sent a few pics. Here’s a few more and just let me know if I didn’t give you enough to work with. Again, I truly appreciate your input on this.

....a few more

Barbara, thank you for more photos. My first thoughts when seeing the slop of the yard coming toward the house is rain and snow management so the foundations of the house are not soaked with water. Second is prevention of soil erosion. Third is a windbreak in wide bands from side to side (parallel to the house).
Your county extension agent of the State University where you live will be able to tell you which trees and shrubs to use for prevention of soil erosion and wind management. Ask about terracing the slope. Ask about installing a French drain.
Best wishes!

SLOPE of yard. Not slop.

It was not until I saw the last picture that I considered that this MIGHT be the view from your deck, looking out onto your yard. Until then, it looked like a view from the farthest back part of your yard, looking toward the back of your house. Why does the first picture in the recent pics not show part of your house? There's a desperate need for orientation here and it can only come by seeing the house as part of the view. The complete view.

And where is your back lot line in the pictures?

Is there a desire to not see the back of the uphill houses?