This is what I have to work with, part 1

I've recently moved into a new home in the South.  It's quite the departure from what I was used to the last 5 years as I was living on a military base in Japan.  I gardened a little bit the first two years but after that, all but forgot about planting.  But this new home is different.  It sits on a 2 acre lot, with the front lawn fully exposed to the sun with the exception of a few ornamental trees and landscaping.  The back yard is in shade and full sun towards the back end of the lot.  It's already been landscaped which is fine.   But of course I want to put my own touch to what's here and I have a few ideas from Japan that I would like to incorporate into the yards.

 

The front yard with a slight slope.

Partial view of back yard.  One of several landscaped islands, made mostly of Carolina Pines and a smattering of perennial plants.

Another partial view of the backyard.  This island encircles a patio paved with slabs of flagstone.  There is a small coi pond within the patio area.  The rest of the back of the yard is cleared of annoying brush and one area is completely cleared out for a garden.





Not too bad but still, there is some work that needs to be done.  I need to keep up on the weeding, stop the slow invasion of fire ants and tent caterpillars, cut back and prune plants, remove the dead ones while I'm at it, and as I said, put my own touches on this garden to make it truly mine.