I am attaching the inspiration photo of our front yard...

If you mean conifers specifically, I'd try the conifers forum.

If you mean broadleaved evergreens as well, carry on!

"underground sprinklers go off once a day"

Just be aware that this may not be sufficient especially during the establishment period. They'll need a good deep soaking that you verify by digging down a bit with your fingers. Newly installed plants often fail because of compacted root balls that virtually repel water. Combined with improper planting that fails to open up the roots is a good recipe for failure.

Then once they are established once a day is too often- not even sure why once a day was selected to begin with- surely you can reprogram that?

Yes: automatic irrigation often not adequate for recently planted subjects during dry periods.

What is your geographic location?

I am in traverse city, Mi :)

Check this out (scroll down for Conifer Corner):

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

MSU Extension

Home Trees & Shrubs

https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_trees_shrubs/

I was thinking some sort of boxwoods under the window box and not sure what to put around the rock in the island

Bxowoods are not a good choice for a sunny location in colder zones. They tend to suffer from winterburn, and do much better if planted in shade.

Do you have deer? That will severely limit your choices.

And yes, the sprinkler timer needs to be reset.

Boxwood is probably OK in sun if you choose a variety with good hardiness and you are irrigating. My Green Velvet & Green Mountain are doing well in sun. You probably also have good snow cover in winter at your location which should help.

There are dwarf or compact varieties of spruce that would be deer resistant and might work well by the rocks as shown in your inspiration photo.

Can anyone identify the plant in the upper left corner of the image?? With the upright red flowers? Thanks!

That’s a canna if I’m looking at the right plant.