I need ideas for the northwest/west side of my house. We have a basic rectangle ranch style house with the carport and drive way on the west side of the house. Our home has large eaves, 3' wide, and no gutters. Currently underneath the eaves against the side of the house is a large gardenia, daylilies, tropical hibiscus,and daisies. I would like to extend the bed out a few more feet making it closer to 7' or 8' wide. What do you think? My thoughts...plant out from under the eaves so that the rain that drops doesn't fall directly on the plants. I was thinking of using raised beds without any border. My delima is what to do behind the raised bed? Again, that space will be about 3' wide. Also, is there something that I could put on the ground to help with the rain coming off the house? I don't want it to be a mud hole. I was thinking of a line of pea gravel but would that work? My beds would be mulched with regular mulch. Should I try to work around the plants that are there now and move them later in the year or is it okay to move them now? The gardenia is planted underneath the high kitchen window which is centered in the bed but do you think it would be better at the end? The length of the bed is 12'. The window is 4'-5' from the ground.

Btw, I live in Louisiana so it is already quite hot and humid and will get more so as summer warms up. It is zone 8b.