Cannot give plant recommendations without location. I would do the tall bush just to the right of the drainpipe rather than out from the corner. I think you need some things in front of the brick.

That's a smart idea, @jck910. I'm in near Atlanta in zone 7b. Thanks for your response!

Here are some ideas:

@Dig Doug's Designs Gorgeous design! I never would have thought do do a tree on the right hand side. I can see there's a lot more opportunity if we expand the garden out a bit. Thanks for your creativity and talent!

I would definitely want a large and very dark green conifer/broadleaved evergreen at the left hand corner, something with enough visual mass to anchor/ground the entire left side of the home. IMO it needs it, it looks too 'floaty' to me..

Thank you @laceyvail 6A, WV and @cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky). This is what I was thinking - creating some balance and grounding with some weightier plants on the left hand side.

Do either of you have any suggestions for trees or shrubs that might work in those spots and that do well in zone 7? I was thinking since you're both in zone 6, you might have some that have worked well for you!

I think a conifer will overwhelm that small house in a few years, even if it's properly sited. You're a full zone warmer than I am, but in my zone I'd consider redbud, Amelanchier (Autumn Brilliance would be a good choice), Cornus kousa (not florida because in your zone it might need afternoon shade), Magnolia virginiana, Cotinus obovatus. I don't know much about shrubs for zone 7b, but I'd go for a broadleafed evergreen that won't get too big and I'd site it mostly to the left of those windows, with smaller ones as you move under the windows and towards the entry.

We don't know the exposure of the front/side of the house, but in general for shade and coolness, the most important placement of trees is to the west/southwest with larger trees at appropriate distance and smaller understory trees closer in. Next most important spot is to east/southeast. The side of the house we can see might be really nice with small trees (same as mentioned above) in a little group on the side with groundcovers and small shade plants under them and between them and the house.

you need larger things.. to hide the hill.. and when you plant larger things.. they have to be planted far enough away form the house.. that you dont have to start cutting on them too soon.. if properly planted.. never ...

you can see in the second pic.. where the large trees are properly sited away form teh house.. and that is where you should put some shrubs ... so that form the street.. your foundation and the slope will be hidden ...

do not make the next common mistake of planting things with HUGE potential.. ON THE FOUNDATION... such plantings are planted to hide the foundation.. no on the foundation ...

also.. with the carport.. and the porch that leads straight across to it.. i cant fathom why you would put in an arching sidewalk out the front door ... i dont get it.. form the pix.. perhaps if a were a visitor walking up the driveway.. i might better understand ...

just fyi.. zone is predicted min winter temp.. it tells no garden anything else.. ergo.. we needed to know you were in atlanta ...or so ..

did someone add the lower brick at a later time.. ..if so.. they did a great job disguising it ...

ken

You’ll have to be mindful of the electric service coming in on that left corner when planting anything large there. Also, given the slope across the porch, some sort of terracing may be needed to support a level walkway.

tj

@laceyvail 6A, WV Thank you so much for your time and thoughts. You've been incredibly helpful! The front of the house faces south, with the left corner facing southwest. I will look into the trees you've recommended!!

The left side of the house gets about 6-8 hours of sun a day, with some shade from the big pines at the corner of the lot. The rest of the garden gets nearly full sun.

Agree with Ken-do not plant too close to foundation. Leave room to get behind the shrubbery. Also, I you are referring to a weeping williow, they get huge. I mean really huge, so probably not want you want anywhere near the house. A weeping cherry can get large, so plant away from house and it would look lovely.

If it were my house, I would go to the nearest native plant nursery or look on the native plant site for your state and choose native trees and shrubs. I recently planted a native Chionanthus virginicus (fringetree) which is such a beautiful tree. It even flowered in its first spring. I am in Northern Virginia, zone 7b.

@cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA) Thank you! I'll definitely plan to leave space between the shrubs and the foundation. We tore out 7 huge old holly shrubs last fall that were directly next to the foundation, and it was not fun!

I'm planning a trip to my native plant nursery next weekend, now that I'm getting a better idea of what the design will look like. I love a that a fringetree gives both structure and flowers! I'll see if she has any! :)

"I think a conifer will overwhelm that small house in a few years, even if it's properly sited."

I feel fairly certain that I could find something that would stay within range over the long term, especially if one is not averse to having something shipped.

And of course planted well away from the structure to allow for working room.

I have a need for 12 month interest in my front area, so nothing deciduous would work for me.

And I guess I have more confidence finding a mid sized conifer than I do broadleafed evergreens although either would work just fine.

I have two thoughts to bear in mind for selection other than the point Ken made about planting trees with their mature size in mind, not their baby sizes. One is anything you plant next to the driveway will deposit some type of debris on the driveway, either sap, leaves, flower buds, seeds, etc. Not a deal breaker, but be prepared. 2. You live in the zone of the beautiful large rhododendrons . . . just sayin . . . . :)