OK, your comment makes no sense to me. First, when you establish beds they take LESS not more WORK than shrubs. Weeds are controlled with MULCH and PREEN. A good landscape plan involves foundation plants AND perennials AND annuals. The first year of a new bed is where the work is, after that its spring clean up, fall clean up and mulching.

Bellburmaggie is right. Plant thickly and mulch well--almost no weeds. A mix of shrubs, perennials and annuals is nice. Your plan of shrubs along the wall with day lilies in front is a good start. But do have the curved bed with some pockets of annuals--they provide long lasting color. Don't line up your plants like soldiers. Put them in irregularly shaped drifts and clumps.

Here is a simple plan. Only the front plants are annuals. The plants at the top of the wall are vines, clematis. You could always plant at base or use an annual such as moo glow/morning glory. Lots of possibilities. I kept it simple and this with mulch should be no big deal to maintain when established.

Wow. Thanks for going to that trouble. I love the idea of vines on the top and the pathway you built in.

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