Mother knows best

[this blog post being updated in parts]

Disclaimer: we relocated to the coast last summer (2009), and purchased a new construction home. The builder set us up with a nice start of landscaping, but now it is time to make it ours. My mother is perhaps one of the most amazing gardeners I have ever met. In fact, I am blessed with 3 mothers who are quite adept in the garden arena. So, these pics are merely for my mom's benefit as she helps me to plan out my garden. Forgive the monotony of the post, it is strictly for practical purposes. But I am open to suggestions. :)

Front Yard view:

Palm tree bed on the left, front side of the house:

Front Bed betwixt garage and porch

In front of the front Porch:

(3 shrubs in the back, 2 Loropetalum in front of those, palm tree far right)

Kitchen side of house:

(7 Pittosporum spaced approximately 3 feet apart)

my assistant:

BACKYARD:

(Momma, what should I plant or do on either side of these steps? Where should I put the hydrangeas, gardenia, bearded iris, ginger lilies and banana shrub?)

Under the Dining Room Window:

(4 Indian Hawthornes, I think)

(I was thinking of planting the banana shrub in the corner of the steps on this side, basically where the silver grill is, but closer to the steps. Then filling the rest of this bed between the palm and the banana shrub with ginger lilies. Your thoughts??)

Easement behind our home:

Garage side of House:

(3 Pittosporum spaced approximately 3 feet apart)

(2 Pittosporum spaced approximately 3 feet apart, with the sprinkler controls in between)

Bed in front yard with electric box

(3 sedge grasses, 1 big green electric box)

[updated now with asphadistra around the street & house sides of the box :)]