I recommend using plants with varied leaf textures and colors to create contrast and interest. Try an ornamental grass, such as Maiden or Cabaret, grasses. You might also want to do a tall shrub behind the birch tree, like a rhododendron, weigela, or purple smoketree. Add a few evergreens so the space isn't totally bare in winter -- boxwoods or inkberry holly or Silver King euonymus would look nice. And then you could mix in some interesting flowers - Knockout roses, daylilies, purple coneflower, and threadleaf coreopsis are all great ones. The Knockout roses are everblooming if deadheaded, which is always a plus. Check them out in this photo with a white hydrangea and purple salvia.

I thought about wegelias and boxwoods but wasn't sure how many and which to put in front and in back. thoughts on lay out?

Thanks Amber!

What a nice place. You could think about doing a garden that would capture every season. In the fall plant daffodil bulbs that will bloom in the spring. Right now you can plant annuals like petunias for color all summer. Toward the back add in some hydrangeas and azeleas bushes that will bloom every year if Chicago's not too far north.

In a sunny spot Phlox, Echinacea and Coreopsis give extended bloom time. Pair them with Allium and Tulips to give even more

You want low items in the front, maybe low spreading type shrubs then something higher behind. Or Perhaps box woods circling then hydrangeas or azaleas inside. Something higher against the brick. No weigala there. They grow very very large and wild. Meant for a backyard.

Your space is small, if you like Weigelia there is a smaller version called Minuet and it would work in front of the Clematis without covering them. A Hydrangea on the corner behind the Birch would give nice fill and then use a few perennials to finish the area off