Emil wrote:

http://dodgetrucks.org/cgi-bin/index.pl?photo=5668

Emil, listen to Allegra and try to think curved, as if the drunken
stone mason or landscaper were in charge of the project and couldn't
walk a straight line for the CHP.

Can you help us out a bit with the N-S-E-W orientation of this garden?
Looks like the sun is coming from the south? or is that the West? Want
to put up a picture of what the view is looking away from the patio?

If your garden area is square or rectangular, draw the rectangle and
inside it, draw an amoeba. While the rectangle will represent your
fence, house and patio edge, the amoeba shape will represent your beds.
Even steps and walkways can look that way in very angular spaces: put
in flagstone from the landscape supply place instead of anything
perfectly round or square.

Not too much money? Scrounge. I've seen very handsome retaining walls
made of junk wood (eucalyptus comes to mind) inserted vertically like
soda straws side by side, protruding no more than a a foot or two. You
can do the same thing with 4 inch. pressure treated round poles.

Spend you money on tools. You can always use them. Follow the tree
trimmers around.

To visualize what plants will look like, sit on your patio and stick
your thumb in the air in front of you to block the things you want to
block. Then you can eyeball how tall your plants should be. Rule number
one for new plantings: s-h-r-u-b-s. Don't think you can fill the space
with six-packs of annuals. You will need to create a space and tone
with shrubs. Not to worry. Home Depot has many. Just be sure to buy the
ones right off the pallet from the supplied.

Rule number two: tall at the background, grading down to short in front.

Rule number three: use exotic shapes sparingly. Most good shrubs make
mounds, but there are wonderful landscape plants like Tasmanian tree
ferns that are very exotic and tropical. Don't use too many at once.