Hey folks,

I’m looking for some advice and design ideas for our back garden. I’ve attached a diagram I put together showing the current layout — it’s… unusual. 😅

A bit of context:

\- We’re in Climate Zone 5.

\- The north side of the property has a high hedge and a hidden entrance, which I absolutely love and want to keep as‑is.

\- There are quite a few existing fruit trees and some other established plants that came with the property. I’d like to keep most of them if they make sense, but I don’t know which ones will turn into headaches long‑term.

\- There’s also an existing garden bed that I could keep or remodel.

What’s currently on the property (from the diagram in the post):

\- Several bananas, a lemon, oranges, and multiple mulberries

\- A coffee tree

\- A large palm and monstera area

\- What I think is an NZ cabbage tree

\- Some random shrubs and older plantings around the edges

\- A stormwater drain running along the lower boundary

I’d really appreciate ideas on:

\- What to keep vs. what’s likely to be a pain (maintenance, mess, root issues, water needs, etc.)

\- How you’d redesign or reorganise the space given the odd layout

\- Whether anyone has tried growing bananas/coffee/mulberry together successfully in Zone 5

\- Suggestions for turning the space into something more cohesive — productive garden? 

I’m open to removing or relocating things if it will set the garden up better long‑term. 

Thanks in advance for any advice or inspiration!

Redesign ideas for an oddly laid‑out backyard