Landscape work continues

So we are not keeping count on this phase of the project but we are finally making some progress.

I have been diligently looking at plant choices with my dear friend Willa who has the patience of a saint while i make my selections.  I like the more modern structured plants...combining that with our tudor home will prove challenging. 

I had the side steps from the sunroom redone and they look gorgeous...

 

 Tilo got busy and removed all of the bushes in the back and front that we wanted to replace.  Everything was gone in one day.  I had some guys come and remove the stump so we now have a truly BLANK canvas to work with...

 

 We will gain some more grass in the back and have some small shrubs and vines planted along the new fence when it gets installed...

The front yard is more challenging in terms of style of plants, layout, etc..

We plan on raising the retaining wall at the right of the driveway up about 18" to level out the front yard, add a modern fence on top and then plant away.  Anyone got any ideas of how to get rid of the HUGE deformed tree in the front?  It is out of place and does not fit with my new aesthetics.....I want more of the modern Japanese looking gardens...

Fence people are here today installing a new wood fence all the way around the back yard and along the front left to replace the Ivy covered chain link fence....last bit of ivy left in our yard is now gone!

I will post some plant ideas...open for comments or experience with anything I post!