If I plant two, the depth will be OK. But for three, I may need to extend the shallow depth. I read previous discussion on this topic here, but they seem all mention yearly pruning, which I prefer not doing it.

Here are some suggestions for the space:

@Dig Doug's Designs Thank you so much for the visualization. Your design really opens my mind, but I am now concerned about whether Limelight will be too tall. By the way, the evergreen on the left corner is August Beauty gardenia. The 3 on the right are Frostproof gardenia. Here is what I currently see from both French doors. What do you think?

The empty space around the swing was planted with 'Julia Child' roses previously. But most of them were removed last year due to rosette disease. I really like 'Julia Child' roses and plan to replant them next spring.

I think I may put 3 Vanilla Strawberry or Berry White instead of 2 Limelight due to height concern.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the reds in any of these and like the pure-cream white...so my vote would be Little Lime .

The OG limelight will get way too big and seeing a bit of the railing even from afar, IMO would look better than getting outflanked.

I have one planted treeform planted a bit closer another shrub....and it's smaller than the other one that is newer one I have planted. It's size is determined by how much root competition it will get

I planted 3 Little Lime this May and was not very impressed with the flower color. I wish the color is much whiter like Limelight or Bobo. I bought the 3 Bobo online as 4.5 quart plants almost 2 years ago. Maybe due to lack of enough sun, so far only the left one has enough blossom, but I really like the color. If Bobo could reach 5-6' height like Little Lime, that would have been my choice. I plan to switch the location of the Little Lime and Bobo late fall and hope the dark red color of Japanese maples could make the whiteish-green flowers of Little Lime more like greenish-white.

I also have 1 Vanilla Strawberry planted 2 years ago, which has nice white flowers. It turns a tiny bit pinkish now. It flopped last year and holds much better this year. I am thinking about replacing this one with Limelight, and transplanted this VS with two more VS to the deck area. But not sure whether a Limelight will be too big to be out of proportion in this area. Current VS is 6' from all the plants nearby, including the Little Gem Magnolia.

For some reason, I always move plants around in my yard, which my friends don't quite understand. But many times I just could not get it right the first time due to both lack of experience and control of mother nature. Always thankful for the wonderful advice in this forum.

Little Lime

Bobo

Vanilla Strawberry

What about Limelight Prime or Puffer Fish? The blooms would fit what you’re looking for and both are supposed to get to five feet tall. I’m like you in that I have to see what works and doesn’t, and move plants around when something works better!

@ Gardening_7bAtlanta, both Vanilla Strawberry and Berry White hydrangeas are not much smaller than Limelights. They can grow to 8 feet tall and wide. My Vanilla Strawberry is about three years old and is already that tall even though I prune it back by at least a third in the Spring.

I think that @ khan47 's suggestions of Limelight Prime or Puffer Fish are better choices. I have Puffer Fish. In its first year, it is covered with beautiful white blooms. Consider Little Quickfire and Little Lime Punch also. I prefer Little Lime Punch. It has beautiful white blooms that turn deep pink in fall depending on where you are located.

Videos on youtube seem indicating that the flowers of Limelight Prime are also more greenish than Limelight. I will definitely check the rest of them. Thanks a lot.