SO, I recently bought a house, and I could really use some suggestions for making the back yard look a little bit more put together.
I am willing to make major changes including removing those trees (I don't know what they are), reshaping the yard, adding pathways, focal points, whatever you guys think!

I tried to note what plants are there on the image below but they seem to be blurry so I will describe them here:

1) In the front the red lines are pointing to different clumps of daylilies and there are some annual flowers interspersed as well as some herbs on the left close to the wall.
2) On the left there is a red line pointing to a hydrangea which has some asiatic and oriental lilies in front of it.
3) Circled in red on the left near the fence are about 80 tall bearded Iris plants. Behind the iris is some ivy with daffodil bulbs planted throughout.
4) The red line in the back left corner is pointing to a single rose plant (not a climber or shrub).
5) The other red circle in the back is a group of Becky daisies.
6) The rest of the back fence to the right has lantana plants assuming they make it through the winter and hostas to the right of them. There are more daffodils and tulip bulbs planted along the right fence and beside the hostas.
7) It is hard to see in the picture but all along the grass between it and the beds is a single row of flagstones as a divider.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

A line of shrubs or perennials around the edges of your yard is not as attractive as a well thought out grouping of trees, shrubs and perennials in the focal areas of the backyard. From the pic you have posted, the focal areas seem to be the back corners of the yard. If you could post more perspectives it would probably help identify focal areas a little better.

Could you tell us about the gate on the right side of the picture? Can you put a small tree on that corner of the yard?

Here are some more angles:

For the wall, I would do what drtygrl suggests and reface the wall. At least fix it up so it looks nice. I would also put a ledge for seating on the top of it. It seems to just be calling out to be sat on except there are those beds that it would seem you're sitting in.

I would also consider a path leading from the patio where the orange and green hose is. It's hard to really see from the photos, but that seems a natural location to get from the patio to the yard.

Do you guys have suggestions for types of trees and shrubs to use in the corner as suggested by drtygrl?

If I do put a tree and some shrubs in that back left corner, would it be too much to put a fountain or large urn type thing in the middle of the square bed in the back and surround it with plants? I am also thinking of raising that whole square bed in the back and maybe rounding off the corners a bit more.

Also, if the dog run is removed, which I think is a good idea, what do you think I should do with that corner?

Thanks so much for the good ideas.

Is that a view beyond your backwoods there? Is it possible or desirable to see more of it? Can you make a place to sit at the back of the property that there would be some reason to go to? You want to design places for people, so imagine yourself at different spots - what would you do there, and how would you get there? Then, where would pleasant plants have to be to provide enjoyment while you are there?

Using the topography to make tiers or something along those lines across the yard could make so much more of this yard than simply using the perimeter.

I don't think the wall is ugly so much as it is an improbable colour, and it does look unfinished. A bench top or something like that: good idea. Stone facing would take up some patio space, how about slate tile?

Karin L

Karin L