Hi there. I am completely ignorant when it comes to plants and gardens and am getting exhausted trying to self educate online in order to fill garden beds after a home renovation. This is a north facing zone 6 house that gets pretty much zero sun...full shade 
I am thinking I need to add... 1) large foundation evergreen (pyramid-ish?) to the left of the bumped-out set of windows. (Something about 8' tall and up to 5' wide would work well.) 2) another medium foundation evergreen at the far right corner. It can be ~3' wide and up to 5' tall. 3) On the left of the front door, something foundational to go under the window...evergreen I guess...(rhododendron is gone now and back toward window will be more shady)? What's currently to the right of the front door now is a boxwood and some inkberry holly. Thinking of cutting back the inkberry to separate it better and regrow with more fullness. I have been told to stick with boxwoods or hollies. Any great ideas for interesting things to fill these spots other than boxwood or holly. [I DO NOT like pencil holly I love laurel leaves (mountain laurel did not do well previously...too much shade), rhododendron (too much shade?), azalea (shade?)] I can handle the filling in; it's just some foundational larger stuff I need ideas for. Also...low maintenance person here if possible. Thank you for any tips!! Or other design ideas--totally open!
I am thinking I need to add... 1) large foundation evergreen (pyramid-ish?) to the left of the bumped-out set of windows. (Something about 8' tall and up to 5' wide would work well.) 2) another medium foundation evergreen at the far right corner. It can be ~3' wide and up to 5' tall. 3) On the left of the front door, something foundational to go under the window...evergreen I guess...(rhododendron is gone now and back toward window will be more shady)? What's currently to the right of the front door now is a boxwood and some inkberry holly. Thinking of cutting back the inkberry to separate it better and regrow with more fullness. I have been told to stick with boxwoods or hollies. Any great ideas for interesting things to fill these spots other than boxwood or holly. [I DO NOT like pencil holly I love laurel leaves (mountain laurel did not do well previously...too much shade), rhododendron (too much shade?), azalea (shade?)] I can handle the filling in; it's just some foundational larger stuff I need ideas for. Also...low maintenance person here if possible. Thank you for any tips!! Or other design ideas--totally open!
Last edited:
