If you like the Crepe Myrtle look (elegant and interesting but not dense) might I suggest Edgeworthia and Osmanthus fragrans 'Fudingzhu'. These are statuesque shrubs that provide a good frame for any perennials/annuals you choose to plant around them, and are exquisite in bloom. Edgeworthia bloom in border times between winter and spring, on bare branches, and are lightly fragrant. Osmanthus 'Fudingzhu' is an ever-blooming and prolific variety of Osmanthus, smells like citrus-peach perfume and wafts but is gossamer light.

How large are the planters? I can't really tell the interior LxWxH, and that will determine what will be reasonable there. Also, are they right up against the building?

3 ft deep, 2 feet wide, 18 inches high. They are right up against the house. The depth is based on the measurement from the outside; I haven’t dug into them to see if they are hollow on the bottom or not.

I am not familiar with plants for your zone, but would be inclined to plant a vine on a fairly narrow, not-too-tall trellis or a groundcover with a small shrub (less than 2 1/2 feet in all directions) or seasonal plants that rotate as needed to keep them looking tidy and providing color. You don't want to crowd the house or the doorway, so nothing that will get large or loom over visitors.

They are not really large enough to accommodate something permanent or of substantial size, like a shrub. And immediately adjacent to the house will require supplemental watering, even in winter. I'd fill with seasonal color, whatever you like and that will tolerate those growing conditions.........something like zonal or ivy geraniums will provide a very long season of color - 6-8 months in a zone 9 - and are very heat tolerant. They are also not very thirsty plants and can tolerate some pretty dry conditions as well so don't require huge attention to routine watering.

@gardengal48 they are irrigated through our system so watering is not a problem!

Even better!! That will reduce the maintenance factor :-) I still would focus on something colorful and low growing - you could use some vibrant color at the entry and I'd steer away from anything too large for the reasons NHBabs outlines.

some ideas

Sago palms can get to 8' wide (are there dwarfs?) and are fairly prickly, so not all that welcoming next to the front door.

Sagos come in dwarf cultivars & also are slow growers.

Stacey I like a lot of your ideas and have had some of them myself! . I’d like to widen the walkway but it’s flanked on either side by our irrigation system. I’m thinking it could be cost prohibitive to adjust it, but it’s on my wishlist. We have about 8 crape myrtles in the front and back yard I’d like to remove too including the ones in the flower bed you mentioned. I like crapes typically but I feel like these have gotten too tall and they are constantly dropping bits of leaves and blooms all over the yard!

And I had my eye on some eugenia ball topiaries at the garden center today that look similar to boxwoods. I have a good track record with impatiens also so that might work out nicely here.

I wouldn't put anything too large there. Large meaning anything over a couple of feet tall and wide. I have no idea what small flowering shrub would grow in your zone that would be that size

I agree that your focus should be on widening your front walk. It's underwhelming for your house of stature and beauty.

Not an especially au courant plant, but Shasta daisies would be cheerful in the planters. Easy care, rebloom every year or replace each year, as needed.

Hm, osmanthus is out, but I still like Edgeworthia in planters!

My vote: something lower with color. And make the front walk 3 times the width it is now.