Im sure this sounds cliche and overused but that looks like a good spot for an ornamental grass. Most are drought and heat tolerant. the heat build up from the brick in summer will be tremendous so keep that in mind what ever you do. Maybe a crepe myrtle that you keep small.

Mike

Bird of paradise, Seju elm, Red Yucca, Photinia, Yaupon Holly "Will Fleming", Tiny Tower Italian Cypress, Chaparral Arizona Cypress, Blue Arrow Juniper.. Just to name a few.

Dawn is from your area. I would do something that stays evergreen there...but be careful you leave enough space. Most people, including myself, plant waaaay too close to the foundation. Those decorative hollies are not a bad choice unless there is any reason you would need to access that corner :)

I'll just chime in and advise against photinias. The builders of our house planted two in similar spots to yours around the foundation except that there's a bit of a roof overhang over them. I have to assault them both with loppers at least twice a year now to keep them at a manageable size, otherwise they'd get huge. I'd go more in the direction of a holly or a crepe myrtle. Hollies can get big, too, but at least they grow so slowly that you can stay on top of them.

Yeah, I would not consider Photinias, get way too big and eventually trunks very thick.

I like the idea of Tiny Tower Italian cypress. Which part of the state do you live in? I know you say along the Red River, but I live in Jackson county and the things I can grow are much different than the things people in the southeast corner of the state can grow.

Leslie

Right by Lake Texoma in Bryan county, south.

I would not plant a vine next to brick if there is any chance it will dig into your mortar like ivy does. I will echo everyone else on photinas....they want to be huge. They make a great living privacy fence if you have lots of room. I keep swearing I will get a photo of the ones planted at my church building. They outgrew being kept trimmed, so they are now the hulking plants they want to be. Unfortunately they are blocking all the sunlight for the bed as well.

Crepe myrtles are a really nice addition. If you don't want a tree size, you can find the miniature bush types. Also look into autumn sage / salvia. Both of those will give you some nice blooms when the spring blooms have pooped out.

Crossvine does not dig in like ivy, it uses suction and a different method of climbing.

I just planted a weeping redbud in a corner. It's compact, beautiful, and looks more like a shrub than a tree.

Steve, what did you finally choose?

phillandjess, I planted a weeping redbud in my garden about 3-4 years ago and love it! Mine is definitely a tree.