Presently, there are lots of individual plants not working with each other or coordinating well with architectural features. I would simplify with fewer major plants and coordinate them better with the house features (plant + window; matched plants flank steps; plant + garage "column"; plant centered at blank wall space, etc.) All this would be "knit" together with a low groundcover. If you want to use zinnias as the groundcover, that's one way to go, though it seems too tall to me, as if you're "burying" the house in plants.

Trim shrubs below windows as domes, not balls. They will look better and keep their lower foliage.

For lack of a better term, there is an "accent" plant, unlabeled, between the two windows. This could either be something like shown, or it could be a small multi-trunk tree of which the canopy sticks up above the roof such that the bottom of the canopy matches the eaves.

Plants below the bay window, too, ought to have winter interest of some kind.

Yardvaark, thank you so much! I'm always impressed with your mock ups. I'm happy to see that you removed the two sky pencils on either side of the bay window. I didn't care for those either. As far as the "accent plant" goes, would you recommend a crape myrtle as the multi-trunked tree? I know they can get much bigger than the suggested height, but can be kept trimmed. I'm a little concerned with the roots being so close to the house.

I actually planted lantana as ground cover last summer, but forgot about the zinnias that always pop up. The zinnias provide great color, but I think they kind of take over. I will try and transplant a large portion of them this year.

It has been unseasonably warm here and I'm itching to get a move on with the yard. I really appreciate your suggestions. It gives me much more direction about what needs to be done.

The picture doesn't let us know how much depth, front to back, there is in the bed, but it looks like you could plant a crape myrtle at least 4' from the wall. If you could do five or six, even better. But you don't want it so close to the pavement that it looks awkward. If need be, can the pavement be cut and altered?

A crape myrtle could work well, if pollarded, because its ultimate size is easily controlled relative to the house. As well, it makes the tree that's thick and full with huge flower trusses, and gives it the semi-weeping quality. Too much continuous roof can add monotony to the scene. I like that a small tree breaks it up. Any portion of the tree that comes back to touch the roof can be cut off a foot or two away. Being as it is on the back side, no one will notice.

I didn't address the right end of the house, but it looks like you could use a small tree, and enlarging the bed below it, over there, too. The picture may be misleading at the left side, but it looks like there, an existing tree is already close enough to that area to preclude adding another.

I had to google "pollarded" but yes, that was exactly what I was thinking for the shape of the crepe myrtle.

I went and measured and I have 12' of space to work with. I think I'll be able to work with that as I don't think the pavement/sidewalk can be changed.

There would be space on the left for a tree, but I like having an unobstructed view down the road from that window. The tree that appears close in the picture is actually close to the edge of our pond.

Now I just need the nurseries to start getting their plants in stock!! I guess I could start pulling things up, but I would hate to leave it completely bare for a few weeks.

Thanks again!!

12' will easily accommodate a crape halfway between front of bed and house.