It seems counterproductive to say, "I don't have an eye for this sort of thing." and "... I feel like I've gotten used to it to the point where it's tough to picture changing it." ... while simultaneously stipulating that "... 3 sagos and most if not all of the crepe myrtles ..." must stay, as though the problem can then be fixed. But what if the crape myrtles and sagos are part of the problem? Then what?

In fact, I think they are part of the problem. In order to sort this out, we must first know what an island is and what a good one looks like and second, we must know what the ultimate conclusion of any individual plant looks like, or can look like, or likely will look like, and determine if the former is compatible with the latter.

The pines are the reason for the island. If it wasn't for them, this island could either not exist, or be in very different size and shape. The pines determine its minimum size and overall shape. I guess I would factor in the magnolia, but the picture does not show it well so it's hard to determine the extent of its influence. If the pines/magnolia appear at or too close to the edge, it makes it seem as if they have gotten too big for their britches. If one imagines how a plant might look in a right-sized flower pot, that ratio of plant to "ground space" could be used as a general guide. It's better to err on the side of too much space between tree and edge of island ... because there is literally no limit on how large it can be, but only on how small it can't be.

I don't think this island is supposed to be screening a ground level view. The crapes might work if they become limbed up trees, in which case they cannot be too close to the edge. The sago is too close. Then again, it's eventually going to produce a large mass of foliage at eye level ... screening. Would be so much better put to another use somewhere else.

Now consider how mange on a dog looks: a bald patch of skin with bits and scraps of hair and some scabs. Not very pretty! But this island reminds me of that. It is bald ... mostly mulch. It has odds and ends scraps of plants (hair tufts and scabs) planted in a layout without rhyme or reason. It would look so much better as a thick coat of fur .... a solid groundcover acting as a platform for all the limbed up trees that grow in it. The magnolia could work so long as there is room for it. It needs simplification and unification.

What's the problem? Or the solution?

Overcrowded? But the plants making it overcrowded have to stay?

To make it as simple as possible, I'd keep one groundcover...whatever the stuff is under the sago closes to us in the pics as an example, magnolia and sagos present no problem...it's the crepe myrtles, and the rest of the low stuff. But that's one opinion...and we know what those are worth.

but what is the problem? What do you want? better visual appeal? Screening? Enhanced sight lines?

@Yardvaark: Honestly hadn't thought of extending the island, I like it! Looks like it'd be good for rounding out the shape of the island too, as it is it's a little skinny on the right side.

@waynedanielson: Going for looks above all else, not too worried about the view of or from the house. I get the feeling that the ground cover + tree combo should work pretty well.

I believe the stuff in the foreground is society garlic, I'm between that and lily turf for the ground cover.

I'm beginning to think the sago loses out over the crepe myrtles, with their color and being so low to the ground I'm afraid they won't stand out against the ground cover. With some proper pruning I imagine the crepe myrtles should do the job.

Thanks so much for the great advice, y'all! Without it I'd probably still be on the porch staring dead-eyed at the yard.

If you can define the problem, and even better, if you can define the goal, the solution usually appears on its own.

And sometimes, we just get too used to how things are to see them any other way.

Enjoy your island.

the words "prune" and "crapemyrtle" in the same sentence: proceed with caution and restraint. When you get to that point of thinking 'pruning shears or clippers" google "crape murder" and you'll learn more than you ever dreamed of about how people....many, scores and scores, thousands .....feel about pruning crapemrytles!