What you already have isn't so horrible.
For bird fruit, you can try blueberries, american cranberry, and inkberry and other hollies. I like red osier dogwood in winter because the stems get bright red then. Also, some plants make a nice show in winter even though they are dormant. For instance, many native grasses and wild flowers although dormant or dead above ground in the winter are still quite dazzling.

I agree that the plants that you have are not too bad and they are still a bit young, but you would have thought that your builder could have thrown in a few evergreens. How are the azaleas looking during the winter? The good news is that since the plants are still pretty young, you have the option of moving them around. I would be tempted to make the bed on the right deeper.

Shrub selection can be a personal thing. I would suggest that you start with some books for your zone and browse what is available at local nurseries. Zone 6 is on the edge of being able to grow a lot of broadleaf evergreens...though it seems like a lot of them like shade. There are some nice hollies that stay small and have pretty berries, if you don't mind the thorny leafs. Prunus laurocerasus ÂOtto Luyken is a plant that I like and it is rated for zone 6 (though I have heard people say that they burn with too much winter sun). Yews get a bad rap as being "too common" but a local nursery of mine carries a number of interesting looking cultivars. I agree on the ornamental grasses. Maybe you could work in some evergreen ground cover as well.

- Brent

Thanks for your replies! It made me look at what I already have a little differently. I thought the azaleas were looking rough, but with the start of spring, they are improving so they may yet be more of an evergreen factor. Maybe if actually remember to fertilize them they might get even better! The bed to the right of the walkway is deceptive in the photo. It is actually about 10 feet deep so lots of room for planting. I think that whole area cries out for something evergreen and interesting. I like yews myself and will have to consider them. Also will try to incorporate the grasses. Thanks again.

If you want some interesting evergreens to explore--look into the Chamaecyparis group. Some personal favorites...
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana' (dwarf hinoki false cyprus)
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Cripsii'
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Gold Mop'

There is also a conifers forum on GW...they will be able to give even more suggestions.

I don't know if heavenly bamboo would work in your zone. It has a different leaf texture, green in warm months, white flowers in spring, turns reddish in fall and winter with bright red berries.

SG

I think a nice size evergreen at the right side of the house will frame it nicely, giving year round interest. I used a Holly in the imaged photo. Other choices might be Nootka Cypress, Weeping Serbian Spruce or other that doesn't get too huge.

The bed between the garage & house walls also can use an evergreen. Spreading English Yew (pictured), Ilex Helleri or similar compact grower would work well.

I placed Maiden Grass opposite the front door, providing interest from inside the house as well, with a couple of complementary perennials, Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and Perovskia.

[IMG]http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t143/TAC117/DesForumgrabflat.jpg[/IMG]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies! Mactac, how did you do that to my photo? I like the idea of the large evergreen out front like that, although I am also thinking of a spring blooming ornamental.

Spiritual gardner, I love nandinas and they appear to do fine here. I use them wherever I live & garden. I already have several in pots ready to plug in to my landscape. At my mother's house they are pretty invasive so I have an easy supply.

And msjee, thanks for the Chameacyparis suggestions. I've seen the gold mops used a good bit in this area and the color/texture contrasts are very appealing. Now if I can just find some I can afford!

I did go on a buying trip last weekend to the wholesale nurseries in Tennessee. Came back with only two plants for the front yard so far, two capitata yews. But I also got some huge Foster hollies, arborvitae and a river birch for back yard screening purposes. Unfortunately, the truck wouldn't hold more.

Thanks again for all your suggestions. I'll be doing all the work myself, so it may take a while, but I'll try & post my results when finished

Something to consider besides the ornamental aspect of selecting plant material is the beneficial value to you also. Because you face south you should consider using a deciduous tree to shade the window on the right, one that will get tall enough not to block your view with branches and not too close to the house when mature.
You'll save on your cooling costs in the summer and in the winter when the leaves are off sunlight will shine in.
A tree that is bird friendly (berries or nuts) will give you visual pleasure while giving something back to the environment.
Just a thought.

Hey, Wishful-

I don't know how to put links into a message, but you might like exploring the Missouri Botanical Garden web-site's "Plant Finder" list.

I use it as a helpful reminder of basicÂand sometimes not-so-basic optionsÂto keep in mind. Zone 6 St. Louis with pretty similar conditions to Indiana.

I'm guessing you've seen the site? If not, perhaps someone could add the link?

Wellspring

I love the mobot site & it is very helpful. Also, I get some good info from the Monrovia website.

Thanks again every one!