north53 what a beautiful garden, in my eyes I think its perfect as it is!

How about Diabolo Ninebark & Dart's Gold Ninebark in there?

Sharon

I also think its beautiful just as it is, and I see plenty of contrast. I am a big fan of the overstuffed look.

Oh it's beautiful! But if you really feel you must change it a bit, I agree with Sharon about the Ninebarks in there. I think a hit of dark purple foliage would give the eye a nice place to rest. My mom has a 'Diabolo' ninebark and she's in zone 2a and it seems to be doing well for her. I've got 2 of them and they never seem to show any winter kill like my purple leaf sandcherry does. Does that bed get a lot of snow cover? If it does, you may even want to consider trying barberries. Mine have done very well, and my mom has had a 'Rose Glow' barberry for a couple of years too. They'd have to be closer to the front though as they'd be shorter than the ninebark. You could also look at some of the viburnums. Some of them have lovely leaves and blooms and have nice autumn colour too. Some of the dwarf maples, like 'Bailey Compact' only grow to about 7' or 8' and would make a great focal point too.

You've done a wonderful job already there, from what I've seen, you really don't have to do much more to it.

Laurie

Honestly I wouldn't change it. It's beautiful. Of course you have to do what you like, but let me point out that a) there is tons of texture variation, in the leaves and the flowers both. b) you have incredible height at the back, without even using shrubs and trees, with the delphs, clematis, etc. The scale of the garden is just so right. and c) I totally love the overstuffed cottage garden look too!

But, if you really want to add shrubs, I think all the previous suggestions are good, and I always like spirea in a mixed setting too. Any displaced or divided plants should definitely be sent to me for rehabilitation ;0) J/K

You guys are just being too kind. This is one of those beds that looks okay as long as you don't get too close to it,LOL.
And of course I only took pictures when I was liking it.

As to your suggestions, they are along the lines I was thinking. Yes the bed does usually get good snow cover. However, if you look in the first picture, the splash of yellow foliage in the center foreground is a Dart's Ninebark that has died to the ground every year. So I'm nervous about trying the Diablo, although I have seen it grown in this area successfully. Others have had the same experience as I have with the Dart's. Do you think the Diablo could be hardier? The soil in the bed is heavy clay.

Laurie,I also have a cistena cherry in my front island bed and it winter kills below the snow line, but at least still manages to be beautiful anyway. I'm pouring over the Boughen catalogue (my best source as there isn't a nursery here) and so far they don't have any of the barberries. I'd have to find that elsewhere. I have been looking at the viburnums though. I have nannyberries and high bush cranberry elsewhere in the yard and I love them. I'm wondering about Gary Pink Cranberry (might be too large), Bailey's Compact Cranberry or Alfredo Compact Cranberry. Any one have any experience with any of those?

Northspruce, the height you see to the left of the deph is monkshood and it grows taller than the fence and has to be staked, which I am getting tired of doing. This year I'm going to try pruning them back early in the season to try to control their height. Wish me luck.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions and positive remarks. I don't know if I'll actually try such a big change, but I know I consider it every year, so maybe I should. Marie

Marie, my Diablo is in the same bed as the cistena cherry, and they're both in very heavy clay. The Diablo is almost twice the size of the cherry because it doesn't die down. I think you'd have a really good shot at growing it in your zone, especially having a fence for shelter close by. Mine's totally exposed to the elements here(poor thing!).

You have such a great eye for what looks good, that if you do decide to add some shrubs to that bed, it'll be fabulous!

Laurie

How do Brandon cedars do in your area? I have a couple and they've stayed narrrow. They would look really good with the dark fence backdrop. Cedars do best in areas that have more shade in winter and sunny in the summer.

That's a good question about the cedars, Pudge. I don't think I've seen any around this town, but that doesn't mean much.
The area gets sun all afternoon, so probably wouldn't be ideal. I wondered about the upright Juniper? Does it have the same requirement for shade in winter? I'd hate to plant something that has to be wrapped in the winter.

Oh yeah, I really like Nanking Cherries in a mixed landscape too, but they really need to be pruned every year to keep them looking good. Not that they will grow to a full tree size, but they can look sloppy if left to their own devices.

I suspect that barberries might not be hardy for you.

I think it's lovely

Your flowerbed is beautiful..I dont have anything to suggest to you other then the ceder which was mentioned, so you would have winter interest as well..savona

North, what are those pink lilies called right behind the birdbath? They looks so good with your blue delps!

Sharon

I too think it is gorgeous as it is however it would be good to have some 'bones' and some winter interest. I would suggest some Red Osier Dogwood for the red twigs, maybe a green stemmed dogwood as well. There is always lilac but for fall color I'd go with either Cotoneaster or Alpine Currant. A nice Winterberry euonymus(sp?)would be good too.
Kate

Thanks again for all these excellent suggestions. I'm getting excited about this project now.

Kate, thanks for mentioning 'winter interest'. That immediately sent me to a book I have on the subject, 'The Prairie Winterscape'. Dogwood was one shrub I had been considering.

Northspruce, I like the Nanking cherry idea. I can't find any good pictures of them used in a landscape, but according to Lois Hole they can be pruned to a small tree and have good fall color. Is that your experience?

Sharon the lilies are Pink Embarrassment. I would happily share, but I have a thrip problem with all my lilies. I'd hate to inflict that on anyone else.

Pudge and Savona, I like the cedar suggestion also. I'm going to ask other gardeners in the area for advice about my location. Specifically, if it was in the north corner, it would be sheltered from the wind, but would it be too sunny in the winter?

So now, I just have to keep from changing my mind with every new idea and make a decision! Thanks to everyone who responded. You helped a lot.
Marie