What ornamentals are good for full sun and what for nearly all shade. The north side of my house has trees and is total shade, but no grass. Part of the back no shade. Plan to plant a tree up front to shade the front of the house and one in back to shade the back porch and some of the yare. Back area faces south. Any suggestions for type of trees? I was thinking red oak or pecan as they seem to survive drought conditions fairly well. Also as for wash water, we have the low volume washer, so do not use much water for washing clothes, and are very happy with them.

I suggest good ol' cast iron plant for shade. I have a bed of it against the house, under a magnolia tree, so it gets no sun at all. It grows about 2 feet high, spreads very slowly, never freezes in the winter, and seldom needs watering. Hence the name!