Some things to consider. You may want bushes or hollies to protect the windows as a security concern.

otherwise, I know for my case, I like larger plots rather than smaller plots. If you really get into gardening or landscaping, you'll want more space. The plants also grow out into the space, so consider that aspect, too.

In the second picture, though, it looks like there was some smaller area, and then an added area. IMO the smaller area is pretty good sized already for yard landscaping.

I think it is very smart to start small so you can get a feel for how much you want/can handle. Since you have large windows, I'd try to plant dwarf or plants that don't grow more than 2 ft, to avoid obscuring the beautiful windows and incoming light to indoors.

i would also plant 1-2 ft AWAY from the house, enough for you to walk between house and plants. Having them completely against brick walls is an invitation for insects to sneak in the brick weep holes. The 1-2' gap gives you room to, for ex., wash exterior of windows comfortably. I'll let others talk about actual plant material, options are almost infinite.

I really appreciate the comments! I'm getting some great suggestions here...!

The outline is the actual bed that was. The smaller line is what I was considering making it, but the vote on the landscaping section of the forum was that the larger is the perfect size.

Oh, and sorry....the magnolia tree is on the RIGHT corner not the left!!

Just a word of caution.....very few shrubs will stay short enough to not block your windows. Half of the homes in my neighborhood have windows that are obscured by "dwarf" hollies, hawthorns, loropetulums, etc. Be very careful when planting in front of windows, lol. Many of these so-called dwarf varieties of shrubs grow easily into 4-8 foot bushes when they grow to maturity. Keeping some of these shrubs down to 2 feet is pretty darn near impossible and your beautiful home will lose it's view and you will lose your view from inside your home to the outdoors. I agree with bossy that you need to leave some space immediately in front of the house.

Molly

I think it'd be money well spent to hire a professional--at least for the design phase. I was pleasantly surprised (shocked, really!) when I saw this guy's prices:

http://daiglela.com

Pittosporum Wheelers Dwarf stays between 2-3 and it's slow growing. But bear in mind that just b/c it's dwarf it doesn't mean it hits a size and wham! No more growth. They keep growing so there is work, just not as much as if you had a plant that grows 4' in one season.

when one puts constrains such as "dwarf" or evergreen or a specific growth pattern (i.e. Pyramid shape), foliage/flower color, etc. you automatically reduce the choices available. Very few plants meets all the criteria so a homeowner has to make choices between aesthetics vs amt of work. That is why I believe it is an excellent idea to start small and get familiar with plants and evaluate the time you have to maintain. However, if you hire the chores, then you can have it all and let a crew maintain. Both work.

This is all great information and I can't thank you enough...

I have thought about hiring a professional, but last time I did I was disappointed and 10 grand poorer...

Believe it or not, I'm not a newcomer here and I do love to garden, but here...I struggle so much and it seems that this is where plants come to die :(

Ah, Pennydesign...you just haven't found the right plants :-)

So I'm the last person who knows anything about landscaping design, so I won't speak to that. But I've figured out if I can grow it it's pretty much bullet proof. I work long hours and often forget (or don't have time to water). My trimming takes place 2 times a year - once in the spring and once in the fall. I'm not one to futz with plants, at least not at this point in my life. That'll happen when I retire. These are the things I've managed to not kill:

Salvias- a Texas gardener's best friend. Come in all colors and all sizes. Trim them back a couple times a year. They don't die when they don't get watered (once they're established) and they put out tons of color all summer especially if they get some irrigation.

Fanick's flox- ditto, except I think they're only in purple and white- at least that's what I have

Agave's- they come with variegated striped ?leaves- they can live in a hell strip. Only thing they don't like is too much water. Nice accent plants

Texas olive tree/bush- might get too cold there for these, but I potted up some last fall and they survived outside this winter without protection. Again, nonstop white flowers all summer

Crepe myrtle's- same as salvias

Turk's cap- might be a little sprawly for your space- mine's probably 4 feet wide now. Birds love the flowers

There's more probably, but it's dark outside and I haven't had my coffee yet.

If you look at the Texas superstar list of plants they're pretty tough as long as you make sure they're for your area/soil type. The other thing I do is look at what's planted in public spaces and try to ID the plants. If it can handle city workers planting and maintaining it, then I can probably manage. None of these will win you innovative garden design awards, but they're reliable and will survive Texas summers/winters without a lot of babying.

Hope this helps- Lisa

Some of the antique roses stay small and I've even seen some knockouts that stay medium size. Good suggestions above.

Carla