Thanks Yardvaark! That looks great. I could easily do some crape myrtles for the center. Couple of things:

- I can't do that large of a bed on the right. There is a slight ditch in my backyard for water to run through, and that bed would be right in the way and my mulch would be carried away each storm. I could do two trees in one bed, then another small bed for another tree and break it up with some grass in between.

- Would it look tacky to have 2 dogwoods in the center with 2-3 crape myrtles for the small flowering trees? Trying to reuse some of my existing plants, but don't have to.

- Any examples of tall, skinny trees for the corners? I don't know of any trees that could fit in those areas besides some evergreens (emerald arb, spartan juniper). And I think pine trees would get too large for those areas.

I agree with the ground cover, and that was in my plans once I found a design I liked for privacy. Thanks again for the help!

Couldn't rainwater run through a groundcover bed in the swale?

It would look disorganized/unbalanced (or tacky) to interject a couple of dogwoods into the line of crapes. Couldn't you find use for dogwood elsewhere? Or give to neighbor who will care for it while you still get to see it?

Juniper is best tall skinny tree that comes to mind. Consult also with regional forum for plant ideas.

Unfortunately no, there is no were else for the dogwoods. Except perhaps placing one in my front yard as my foundation tree? It may get too large for that though. Maybe I'll give it a try.

I just looked again and I could fit 3-4 trees on the right where you have shown with out interrupting the flow of water. I am one of the lower houses, so the rainwater flows like a river through my backyard.

I may keep the river birch on the left and plant 3 Spartan Junipers behind it. Then plant 4 crape myrtles (possibly Sioux, get to be 12-15 feet) in the middle. Finally, I can do "Hetz Wintergreen" on the right. They will stay skinny and grow pretty quickly.

Thanks for the help!

Would it look good with 1 Natchez crape myrtle (20-30ft, large, white) on one end, then 3 Sioux crape myrtles (12-15ft, medium, pink) next to it? I ask because I could reuse the one Natchez crape I have, and just purchase 3 Sioux. Just a thought!

My opinion is that the mix is a detriment, not an advantage. You wouldn't put 3 whitewall tires on your car and one blackwall. Try to think in terms of the plant's worth at maturity vs. the worth of a small plant now. There's no comparison.

Thanks again Yardvaark. You have been a huge help! I'll try and post some after pictures in a few weeks when everything is done!

You're welcome ... and just a reminder .. don't take the drawing perfectly literally. You must work things out and refine: spacing, placement, details, etc. Best to convert to plan (in order to make sure final ideas will work out) before doing any actual work.

Yes, thanks again Yardvaark. I have already made a few tweaks to your design, but the overall concept will remain. Now I just have to find the plants I need!