For starters, what do you have in that bed on the other side, between the house and the walk? I would repeat a good deal of that in the new bed.

The other bed has white impatiens, pink wax begonias, pink new guinea impatiens, a japanese maple, a white crepe myrtly 'acoma', three encore azaleas (haven't bloomed yet this year), a rhodie and caladiums.

The caladiums are leaving this fall ... just too big between the myrtle and the rhodie. Also - I'm about to dig up all of the annuals and replace either w/ pansies or leave it bare this winter.

I was hoping for something a little contrasting although i've thought about moving the azaleas to another spot b/c they obviously don't like it there - maybe they're not getting enough sun, I don't know .... I checked the pH and it's on the acidic side so I'm not sure why they haven't bloomed.

If they were doing well then I would definitely consider extending the hedge onto the other side of the sidewalk but, most of the showy stuff are annuals and are going away soon ....

Does that answer your question? I hope I haven't muddied the water even more ....

I am so unimpressed with Encores. I have 8 of them, they rarely bloom. Whereas my regular azaleas put on that huge show in the spring and some bloom intermittently in the summer. Azaleas prefer it on the shady side.
Have you thought of some antique roses, and then some underplantings to go along with that? Daylilies, phlox, verbena, etc., things that you have planted in the other bed?

You've got such a huge blank wall! Find an awesome trellis and a rose that will survive your winters and run with it! Clematis or some other rampant vine would work too, i just like roses :) If you're going to be sitting on the porch pretty often fragrant plants would probably serve you well...Carol Mackie Daphne smells amazing in bloom and stays fairly small if i remember correctly.It's got beautiful cream edging on its leaves. Have fun with it!

Yes, I have thought of roses but what's the difference in the types? Antique, etc ...? My concern there is that my kids like to play on the porch and in the yard and I wouldn't want them to get stuck ...

There may be a place for a rose bush at the corner of the house where the bed makes the 90 degree turn toward the back of the house ...

I'll research antique roses and see what I come up with - also - I've only been a gardener for about 7 years (and three of those we've had babies in the house so my desires had to be curtailed) so I'm not sure I'm up to the responsibility that comes along w/ roses.

Thanks for the suggestion - it gives me something to research and who knows what ideas will spur ... Thanks!!

I suggest antique roses because I don't spend time spraying etc. I toss some rose food a few times during growing season and that is it. There are some that are thornless, most are very disease resistant. They give off that wonderful rose fragrance and look so cottagey.

The photinia will echo the white flowers and fall coloring of the crepe myrtle and Japanese maple. Flowering evergreen shrubs sounds like a good start. Maybe another variety of azaleas if these aren't working? The daphne sounds nice as well. I think some sort of accent tree out in that circle part would be nice. You can add evergreen perennials such as hellebore.

Dryad - you're right - it is a huge blank wall. I LOVE the carol mackie daphne - I'll really think about that one ...

I've got a friend from church who is putting together some ideas for me as well. I'll be sure to take some pics as the bed progresses.

Lots of good ideas being posted, but I particularly like what Debbie is suggesting.

Evergreen perennials will give your garden a full look, year round. Personally, I'm pushing for more year-round interest in my garden with evergreens, particularly ones that produce berries for winter color. Possumhaw holly is one of my favorites.

Also, do add those pansies. I think they would look wonderful there, and add a nice dash of winter color.

Have fun with your project!
Marilyn

Have you thought about crepe myrtles? There's different sizes available and mine are fairly low maintenance. I really love the fact that they bring in color in the late summer.

Be careful hanging out on the antiques forum and daylily forum :) they created new obsessions with me! On the antiques forum is a poster named Ann who is from Tennessee I believe. She could help you with what would be good options in roses for you.

Lisa