You need to give your geographical location and perhaps try to get better pictures of the situation. It's hard to see what's going on from those images.

Yes, better pictures. But also, NEVER orange (or any other) colored mulch.

9b Florida

The mulch is red

...."or any other) colored mulch."

Can you show us the bed in total? I can't really make out where it is or what shape it is.

It has come on a lot since your original post about your yard. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6367618/total-exterior-paint-including-around-windows-wood-around-trims

if you put fabric under the mulch.. remove it immediately..

repost the pix in the proper orientation... plz

ken

9b I would love to setup a spot for a lot of orchids

Ok going to Lowe's What should I buy??? I want exterior orchids as well... But what plants and big shrubs to cover front of house and give me some shade ????

You may already know that orchids will not tolerate full sun and when they bloom it is seasonal.

I'm in 9a Florida. 9b can grow Orchid tree- gets pretty large pretty fast and affords shade. Oleanders, Weeping Bottlebrush or upright Bottlebrush can be beautiful and provide shade in time. Lots of choices. If you research online, search for evergreen stuff. One large "shrub" that is colorful and very low maintenance is Firecracker bush. Fountain shaped, weeping, it can grow to 5'x5' in one year. Also, grasses, like Pampas Grass get pretty big, but need yearly maintenance.

Maybe you can save some of what you already have and add to it.

You offer LOTS of good advice and observations, especially about planting distances from house!

A good variety of landscape plants/trees can be planted in Fla 9b this time of year.

Rainy season helps get them settled in. 👍