First, we have this area by our driveway that is sloping, long, and narrow. Right now it is half empty, with the rest covered in periwinkle and ivy (which my husband hates). What should I plant in this weird little area? I’d like some color and something that will look good year round (although I am open to some annuals along the top of the wall). We are in zone 7.

Our second issue is the area to the right of the front door. Our driveway slopes to the house and we have drains along there for water but in a torrential rain, we get water in the basement in that corner between the entry and the front window. Would a patio that slopes away from the house towards the drains be a solution? I was thinking of maybe a pebble patio. The tree there is beautiful in the spring and I’d like to keep it if possible. Or would a front patio look ridiculous?