#1 Let the grasses stand all winter. Cut them down in spring when new growth begins. Less time with the box. If that is not acceptable, Schillings Holly will hide it.

#2 That photo really gives no concept of the fountain space and how much of the shrubbery survived the killer freeze. Elephant Ear is easy enough to move.

#3 You need a groundcover shrub like juniper or a creeping perennial like phlox.

Christopher, are the grasses perennials? Is schillings holly the same as youpon? When i google schillings, it always turns into a youpon search.

Let's say all of the shrubs made it. The only ones that didn't are actually not in this pic. Any other ideas of what we out in if we move the ears to the back? It gets sun and part shade.

Do you have any suggestions to put in where the arc of shrubs is? We are looking for low growing plants.

I like the juniper ground cover idea.

Thank you for your help.

Upon closer look the grasses look like a Pennisetum, Fountain Grass, which may or may not be perennial for you depending on species. There are a lot of perennial grasses that can replace them.

Yes Schillings is a Yaupon Holly.

Use the same groundcover plant on both sides of the walk for the arc of shrubs and the manhole cover side.

The front of the fountain is a good place for your annual display with the Elephant Ear backdrop.

Thank you Christopher. I appreciate your suggestions and time.

Here are some ideas:

The second option uses Mexican Sage Bush, which may not be completely evergreen all winter in your climate. It also uses ice plant & Prickley Pear Cactus.

Doug, love these suggestions and this visual. Thank you so much for this detail. Wow! I really appreciate it.