Plant choices and layout should be tailored to individual house and gardener.

Ditto bboy. BUT, having said that, if you google "foundation planting" you will find many useful sites. Also, try Better Homes and Gardens, bhg.com, they actually have landscaping plans to help you get a start on your ideas.

Patty

and wherever you go in your design .. double all distances ...

IMHO ... a garden is to hide your foundation.... NOT TO BE PLANTED ON THE FOUNDATION ... i grew up in the 60's in a 50's subdivision ... they planted all these HUGE plants.. 2 feet from the foundation ... and the neighbors are still trying to get rid of them ...

if it were me... i would make a 6 to 10 foot bed minimum ... and plant trees/conifers at least 5 feet from the house.. and not in a straight line.... when you go googling ... look and see if the pix that please you involve a 3 foot bed at the house ... i bet a buck.. they wont be ...

so if you are thinking a 5 foot bed.. make it 10 ...

and just drive or bike the neighborhood... and rate each garden you pass ... it wont take long for you to develop an eye toward what you want ....

good luck
ken