Hi. Just put in a new patio and right outside the kitchen sliding doors, there is a narrow bed (17 feet long x 2ft. 3in. wide). Wondering what shrubs/plant to put there. I'm thinking evergreens because although I would love something like the look of hydrangeas all summer, I don't want to look at a bunch of sticks all winter - I have that on the side of my house. Went to the nursery the other day, and came home with what they suggested, but not sure I'm crazy about the way it looks. I am not very traditional - don't like the look of azaleas, etc. I don't want a hedge - which I think with all these plants it will eventually be a hedge. What they suggested and pictured are slow-growing. I wouldn't mind seeing the black mulch and planting some Dracenea spikes. etc. in the summer to fill in space. This bed is on East side of house. It gets light all day long. I am concerned about the topiary as it's shaded by the eave and the back of it is against the garage. The plants that I planted in the front of the house last summer did not do well. The side facing the house died. I am going to add planter boxes on the other side of fence so there will be colorful annuals blooking. I am in Long Island, NY, so Zone 7.

What they suggested and pictured in order from left to right are:

Whipcord western Red Cedar

Franky Boy Oriental Arborvitae

Singleseed Juniper (Juniperus squamata "Blue Star"

Morgan Oriental Arborvitae (Thuja Orientalis "Morgan"

Singleseed Juniper (Juniperus squamata "Blue Star"

Franky Boy Oriental Arborvitae

Singleseed Juniper (Juniperus squamata "Blue Star"

Mint Julep Juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Monlep')

1- Should I take out some of these plants? Too much? Will they all grow together to form a hedge?

2- Neighbors are planting arborvitaes on the other side of driveway, so I don't want something high here.

3 - I'd like some variation of color - hence the variations of green/yellow. Nursery said I don't have room to plant a sort of weeping Japanese maple type of tree.

4 - will that Juniper topiary die there against the wall?

5 - Any suggestions for what this area should look like? Shrub names?

Also, painting the sanded door - Opinions? Would black or white be best? The house is a colonial with red brick with white siding and the main garage door is white. I think black would look nice, but not sure it would look odd with a white main garage door.

Will be doing landscaping for the entire backyard so will be back for advice.

Thanks in advance.