Wish List for 2016

Flagstones.  I need to measure the linear feet needed for a path from the front porch to the hose bib; from the lawn to the fire pit and from the lawn to the patio on the west side of the house.  I'd also like to add a small flagstone patio for the bench area in the kitchen window garden.

A deciduous shade tree to replace the broken London Plane Tree.

The following are just for the large shrub bed on the west side of the house:

• One deciduous ornamental tree.  I am leaning towards another Flowering Plum.  
• One tall, narrow (less than 5' wide) evergreen to plant between the bunk room window and the northwest corner of the house.
• One tall evergreen (this one can be 8'-10' wide) to plant between the Columnar Oak and the air conditioning condenser unit.
• A small fence or trellis unit to place in front of the ac unit (not necessarily to grow anything on, just to break up the view of the big black box).
• A splash guard, or a rock sink or a rain barrel for the gutter pipe at the northwest corner of the house. My preference would be a rain barrel but if we add one there we need to get that in before I plant the tall, narrow evergreen because it may shift the way things fit in that corner.
• Several juniper bushes that get about 5' tall and wide).  I prefer the horizontal or upwards branching plants that are dark green.
• A Globe Blue Spruce (maybe two).
• Several evergreen ground covers.  I need to research exactly what I'm looking for but I know I want at least one section of Blue Star Juniper (or similar evergreen groundcover with foliage that will compliment the Blue Spruce).
• Several Ninebark shrubs (at least three taller ones and two or three that stay smaller).
• Ornamental grasses.  The exact types and sizes will be determined as I work through the actual size and layout of the shrub bed.
• Perennials.  The exact varieties will be determined, but I know I want to include many of the perennials that are doing well in our yard so far.

I haven't worked out the details of what I'm looking for in the front yard or the bed that runs along our west property line.  I know I want to include ornamental grasses, shrubs, groundcovers and a nice mix of perennials.  I'll probably add a couple more trees to the property line bed; partially for shade and partially for privacy.  I was worried about blocking the view, but the neighbor's house took care of most of that and realistically, the shade is more important to us in the summertime anyway.

I would also like a shed.

Rob suggested adding a concrete pad to the upper level so that we have a level and clean surface to put a pool on.  I like that idea but I'd want to make sure it was big enough for a partial basketball standard or some other use.

I still love the idea of adding a putting green or a chipping green up on that level.