While not an unpleasant looking yard, it strikes me that it could use some strengthening and tidying up. Between the yews and daylilies, it seems to me that the daylilies look out of place ... a little too lanky and "country-ish." While the yews are planted too close to the house, they stand a better chance of bringing lasting substance to the garden. I would move them farther from the wall. I wouldn't be too worried about them growing since they barely have a few inches more to go before they would be too tall. The most bothersome thing to me is the large shrub to the immediate right of the entrance. With it, the daylilies on the opposite side and the hanging baskets, the entrance is pinched so tight that it will only seem inviting to pole shaped people. I would move all those things elsewhere, widen the landing and just put some annual color at the sides of the stoop. The shorter daylilies could be used near the garage. The white flowering perennials would be better used somewhere where they don't hide the yews. The bed under the tree could stand to be enlarged, blending into a straightened portion as it approaches the landing.

Thanks Yardvaark. They are interesting suggestions and have given me a lot of food for thought. I had not really noticed how tight the entrance looked. The white perennials are shasta daisies which spend the better part of the summer laying on their side. I'm wondering if they will get enough sun in the shade of the pear tree. Again thank you for your comments. When I'm finished with the project I'll post some pictures.

A clue to interpreting my drawing ... because you see white dots on a shrub-looking thing behind the pear does not mean that it is shasta daisy. To me, it's just a general form, a size and some detail. It would be up to you to select the right plant that prospers in the actual conditions offered. You might end up picking a plant that is a little smaller or larger and has a different bloom color. My objectives are showing you organization, shapes, sizes, how to limit variety and arrange plants.

I didn't say anything about it, but the pear needs to be limbed up, probably to top of lower shutters for now. Tidy up bottom of RB, too.