My husband said he wanted to create a stepping stone path. I enjoy ferns. I’m not sure how I would begin underplanting. Do I outline a section. I’m overthinking this huh?

I'd definitely want to hide the neighbor's CLF. Do they have livestock or dogs? It really can have an impact on the home's appraisal value so plant on your side of it first with something that will grow tall enough to camouflage their fence. Azaleas do well in shady areas if you want to sprinkle some of them around. I think white ones would add some lightness to the dark shade. We can't see your house, but that white corner trim really jumps out at me. That can draw visual lines that box in your home and can make it look smaller. You might want to consider painting the same as siding.

Our neighbor has a dog. I have a few hydrangeas but I will look out for azaleas as well. Thank you for that advice

It would be a beautiful shade garden with shrubs and perennials scattered thru the trees and a bench to sit on and enjoy the area.

Just plant a variety of shade shrubs along the fence area to cover the fence. I wouldn't put in a path, which would highlight the area.

Has an arborist evaluated that leaning tree?

A black chain link fence fades into the background. Would your neighbour allow you to paint it?

I don’t know how to make this sound nice. The giant black drain tube and the plastic edging are more of an eyesore than the chain link. Can you fix those?

We had a very similar situation after we built our house. Nothing really grew there, so we made a permanent improvement over 20 years ago. We have adored it ever since.

Proper drainage of that area is most important. This area is unfinished and the edging just laid. the harsh lines will soften once things re settle.