I think landscaping is more successful in a space like this when not everything is symmetrical. The purple bush on the right likely gets less sun due to the tree. I'd try transplanting it to the other corner of the house, near your larger one. Tulips are nice, but very short lasting. You need some evergreens and perennial shrubs to fill in some of the spaces. Try laying them out in a diagonal pattern, following the bed rather than straight with the house. Plant a grouping of shade tolerant shrubs in the corner closest to your driveway.

We are in northern Illinois. This bed faces east so it gets morning sun.

the failing shrub ... should be IDd .. can we have a closer pic ... it is also under water stress from teh big tree ... do you know what the big tree is??? .. so we might know how bad root competition is ... is this a deal where mulch was thrown down.. becasue nothing.. including the greatest weed on the face of the earth .. grass ... wouldnt grow under the tree???

what goes where the tulips will be.. once they are spent.. are there perennials in there.. that havent come up yet ... or do you go all annuals ..

otherwise it must be pretty bare all summer long ... or is that part of the problem ...

how about a big city name.. i dont know what north IL means ...

ken

A trip to the Morton Arboretum to see their conifers for gardens display might help you decide what you like best. I also agree that symmetry is not the way to go because of the tree on the right. It not only precludes it visually but its shade will stunt what’s behind it.

tj

Once the tree fills in, I imagine that spot is pretty shady. How about trying some hostas? Many, many varieties and colors that you can plant that that would do well there unless there is too much root competition from the tree, as ken mentioned.

debra