my some ideas

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Here is a link that might be useful: other ideas

Presumably the evergreen "hedge" looks "nice" year-round, so what don't you like about the hedge and what do you really want?

ideasshare has stuck sun-loving annuals at the foot of the hedge, where they will do poorly due to root competition and northern exposure.

Your photo doesn't give much informaton relating to context. This is like a closeup photo of one eye without showing the rest of your face, head, and body, and asking how to improve your makeup. You might be expecting a recommendation for a color of eye shadow, but a makeup artist could do a lot more for you with more information.

First, yes it does belong under landscaping. I agree that more information about your preferences is needed. I don't think the growing conditions sound that challenging; many different things could probably grow there and it really depends on what you like to see and what kind of garden work you like to do if any. To put up a vine you need a trellis (unless you want something self-clinging in which case it will damage the siding) and vines are some work to control and also look like he$$ for a good part of the year.

The hedges could be pruned a bit, and maybe the bed could be edged with some nice bricks; then what you have would look pretty nice. Sure you could spice it up a bit, but it's going to be a more variable, less reliable niceness.

Do tell us more, though, as there are lots of ideas to explore. How do you use this space, for instance?

KarinL

I will take some better pictures tomorrow and post them. I really don't care for the hedge. For one I think it inphasises the very long narrow bed plus I would really like more flower color. Maybe some small evergreen shrubs that bloom fronted by seasonal blooming flowers, a flowering vine for height. Something with different heights and textures,and some spilling out onto the patio. Thank you so much for your interest.

The narrow linear bed does look best with just what you describe - different heights and textures, etc. For bones, you should be able to find many plants that will work in reasonably bright shade - various shapes of yew, plum yew, thuja, dwarf hemlock, and maybe small rhodos. The fastigiate forms and cultivars like Thuja DeGroot's spire might help if you want some height. One of my favourites that might qualify is Ilex crenata Mariesii, which has great form and foliage. I like to under/interplant with ferns, hostas, hellebores, and the like, but there are other options - maybe primulas? I don't know your zone of course. I just wouldn't do rows but rather groupings of plants with different forms that intersect and compliment each other.

I've mentioned mostly evergreen stock and prefer that in such a setting because deciduous shrubbery will lean for the light, which will rob you of patio space. Even a vine will always be trying to grow out, though a trellis would anchor it a bit.

KarinL

I apoligize for the delay in submitting more photos. I do appreciate the suggestions and help you've given.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/mla2ofus/newbed006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/mla2ofus/newbed004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/mla2ofus/newbed003.jpg
I hope this works. I've never posted more than one Pic. at a time.

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Here is a link that might be useful: other some ideas

Okay, I've decided to use dwarf yaupon Hollies, Sky pencil Hollies, dwarf Nandinas and mix evergreen daylilies, summer phlox, canna lilies, dianthus and annuals. I'd like to use ferns and hosta but there is a lot of reflected heat from the patio. Thank you for your help.