Hello-

I’m pretty good with gardening in my backyard but this space has been giving me problems forever. I would like some shrubs to create a more formal look and then a few free flowing plants to create some visual interest.

The Nandina is staying (for now) but I hope to get it to a more bushy state. The japanese maple is mature so roots are an issue. Under that is white agapanthus which I like. Thinking about adding river rock around the tree.

The only area that gets sun is the right side by the Nandina (afternoon sun in summer, not much in winter)

I was thinking about doing a short boxwod border around the whole bed but won’t be able to go past the agapanthus due to tree roots so I’m not sure if it’ll look dumb stopping before the tree.

Or, also thinking about doing white carpet rose bush in that sunny corner. Or should I go with dwarf mock orange?

Need an evergreen dark green shrubs for the back of the bed.

Ideas? The soil need amending and I’m hoping for 1-2xx a week watering once established. I’m in San Jose, CA so dry summers.

Bed is 3’10” deep. Just under 10’ long right corner to the start of the agapanthus.