Requesting a few small clarifications: you want to get away from the straight lines, but you want to retain the straight lines of the rock edging, correct? So you are looking for plant suggestions that are not straight lines? Do you intend to keep all the trees shown, or will you consider removing one or more of them?

Please mention your USDA zone, or at least describe your winter and summer weather.

It would be helpful to see the house in context. Take a photo from a greater distance so the house is entirely visible, as well as more background, treetops, any sidewalks, etc.

I won't be able to advise you, but if you reply and post an additional photo, it will make it easier for someone else to help.

One thing you could do and it's kinda hard to tell from the picture but I think it would work is bring the bed out several feet and incorporate the three trees closest to the house. If you do that you can create a curved bed that possibly wraps around the side of the house including that tree on the corner.

Many times when you're are looking at a yard you can see natural curves from nature weather from trees, drainage, or just shape of the land. We try to mimic those curves so that the shapes look natural.

I would treat it like a blank canvas and relocate the boxwoods.

Check out our website if you wanna see some examples of our designs. I think there are several on there that are curve linear that may give you some ideas. As far as plants if your not in the San Antonio area I prolly won't be much help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape Designs

One thing you could do and it's kinda hard to tell from the picture but I think it would work is bring the bed out several feet and incorporate the three trees closest to the house. If you do that you can create a curved bed that possibly wraps around the side of the house including that tree on the corner.
That is exactly what I was going to say,,,,,,,,,,add Hostas in and around the area since it is on the north side with trees and more shade, look for shade loving plants. I'd sure like to see after photos.
Kat

I second, third (whatever) bringing the bed out around those trees. I'd also get some pots up on your patio - maybe on the other side of the door from the bench - with some nice color to bring focus to the door, because those trees do sort of hide it (at least in the photos they do). Looks like you are in the woods? I see lots of trees behind the house? Woodland plants native to your area would be nice - ferns, groundcovers, small shrubs. Hostas, as mentioned, would be nice. Some azaleas for spring color. Do you get much sun there before the leaves come out? Daffodils would be nice if you do. I'd find some things with colorful bark for winter interest. I would stay away from things with much height under those trees because then it will be difficult to see the house through them. I would also avoid lining plants up. Get those shrubs out from in front of the porch and then mix up whatever you put in, or plant a group of three shrubs in a triangle rather than a row. That will complement the curving lines of the bed nicely that you will have once you incorporate those trees.

Thanks for the responses so far! Keep them coming!

Yes, we're in the woods. Lots of trees behind the house. That's why the grass looks so crappy in the winter, but it does green up nicely in the summer.

I like the idea of incorporating the trees in the bed. I'll run it by hubby and see what he thinks.

Thanks again!

From my perspective removing the larger tree would help the design and incorporate a flowering tree, i.e. dogwood, red bud, etc. I am always afraid of big trees near a house and I removed all the trees in front of my house for fear of hurricane damage which you may not have. I'd then sprinkle in some deciduous flowering shrubs to give the house depth on the lot and enclose the other two trees within the bed. Mixing evergreens and deciduous gives the bed depth. The lot seems to be dark.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

I'm a fan of color, so I'd vote for daffodils, azaleas, and, once it warms up, impatiens. The latter two do well in shade. Hostas do too, so you could mix them in.

I like the idea of curving your bed too.

I want to bring the shrubs out around the trees, in a bed. But you have to be able to do this without damaging the trees - not always possible. Covering crowns with soil or barking roots with spades (during planting) not likely to be appreciated.

Another vote for creating broad, sweeping beds that catch the trees. And, I also agree that you don't want to suffocate or harm the roots of those trees... so, the beds I would create for the new design would consist largely of just mulch. Bulbs and creeping grouncovers will add interest to the new beds, and are minimally invasive to those tree roots... they'll root in just a small pile of soil and mulch placed here and there.
Good luck.