Just for fun, the attached link might come in handy for research. The only thing I can still come up with is that the particularly nice architectural elements, the flares being just one, of your home shouldn't be hidden - and that's pretty much a reiteration from the first threads.

If it were mine - I'd go for a columnar and pencil-pointy conifer for the left. (The deciduous option doesn't have much appeal for me because I wouldn't want the windows overtaken.) Or maybe something a little different - sculpted into a corkscrew or swirl or weeper. A dwarf, which would ultimately reach some size, but would simply take a longer time getting there. Somewhere in the little rounded shrub srrangement, a Globular blue spruce. A steely blue color, would compliment the front door. Think they have a height of @3' with a spread of maybe 3-4'. Maybe an Anthony Waterer Spirea in the sheltered corner in liew of a white flowering shrub - it's a nice, easy to keep tidy shrub with a dusty rose bloom.

Any affinity for a peony (or three) somewhere in the front bed? I might have a harder time making something cohesive out of the different groundcovers. Just me, but I'd lift them, temporarily pot them up then move the pots around until I got an arrangement that made sense. Less is more could be key in groundcover use, too. Ornamental grasses as an accent would have more impact among the groundcovers than in the porch pots. The porch pots could take something bolder.

Here is a link that might be useful: trees of Wisconsin

I like the ornamental tree! Of course, it should be well away from the house (depending on mature tree size at least 8-10 feet), but VISUALLY it will help draw the eye to the cool flare. I respectfully disagree with duluth about the columnar shrub...I think it detracts from the architectural feature substantially.

The tree could be certain species of dogwood, japanese maple, redbud, and some cherries. You can find something lovely that gives interest year round.

I also like the idea of flowering bush by the stairs (the drawing doesn't actually represent that well) Keep it small, though.

I am confused about what the goal is for the sloping corner... From your last post, the sloping wall was an architectural feature that was to be enjoyed, but with all of your presented designs that corner is obscured from most viewing angles.

With the columnar plant, the edge of the plant will take over from the house edge as the feature. With the rounded decidous plant, at mature heights, the bottom of the edge can be seen, but the whole sloping nature is lost.

The sloping corner is best viewed without any plant material in front of it, and the corner is a strog foil for the patchwork of groundcovers on the front lawn.

To make a more formal design under the series of arched windows, add rounded evergreen shrubs that repeat the rounded arch of the window.

The tree should be about half way to the street both for practical reasons of size and for the affect that I described ... a few times.

I made the last reply on your previous thread; not sure you read it, though...

I like the idea of a dogwood. I was thinking pagoda dogwood. What variety would you recommend for SE WI? Will it have longevity--i.e., will it get scraggly after a few years? (I'll of course do my best to maintain it, etc.)

Again, as always....thanks for your insights.

P.S. To laag--your multiple suggestions are noted and appreciated!

I left a message on your other post before seeing that you do have good sun in your garden.

Since I don't know the dimensions of your area I'm only guessing that the ornamental tree you have on the left is going to get too wide and take up a great deal of the space. Small ornamentals get anywhere from 15 to 30 feet in height and width. Pagoda dogwoods tend to reach out very wide and would extend over the driveway.

I agree with some of the commenters that the architecture of your house should be emphasized, not hidden. My suggestions ( see my reply on your earlier post ) is for an English Knot Garden formed of brick paths. A trained climbing rose would accent your beautiful windows. Green color year round would be provided by clipped boxwood, or boxwood could be used instead of the brick path to form 4 beds in which colorful flowers are planted.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweet Home and Garden Chicago

Hi,
This is great; you are getting lots of different thoughts and suggestions for your home. I posted before and thought I would give you more reasons why I feel a Cornus Kousa - Korean Dogwood would be great for the left corner, maybe 1/3 the distance between house and sidewalk. The branching habit is ascendant when young becoming horizontal with age. Its growth habit is such that it breaks up harsh vertical lines and can make a house look bigger. It blooms about 2-3 weeks after the flowering Dogwood, white flowers bourn on the top of the stems. It is awesome to view from above looking down. It's winter interest is attractive with it's somewhat delicate branching and horizontal form and bark exfoliating with age resulting in a mottling of light gray, dark gray and greenish-tan. The fall color is scarlet to purple. The tree always looks great. I would use a high branched single stem plant. My neighbor has one that is unbelievable. It is planted in a stone wall bed that is along steps and a walkway situated between his house and his garage. The plant is at least 20'tall and is a perfect fit. I am so jealous; although I do visit it frequently and can see the top of it over the roof line.

IMO, the amount of visual interest present in a building architecture is directly related to the amount of landscaping needed for the building. In your case, less is more. Restraint is often essential to good landscape designing. With your strong architecture and by adding a visually strong deciduous tree all that is needed is ground cover type plants that tie everything together. Any more strong elements could create a cluttered look.

Other key points to consider are balance (asymmetrical), repetition (rhythm) which creates movement and unity which uses plants of related form, color and texture thus resulting in smooth movement.

If some of these points can be satisfied then it frees you up to add the individual plants within these points that are your favorites.

I hope this helps and doesnÂt make you crazy. I would be willing to try and get a picture of my neighbors kousa dogwood if that is something you might want to consider.
Good luck
Ally

Hi everyone--just taking a moment to thank everyone for their insights. I'm processing/distilling everything and will likely be honing in on some final decisions shortly. Of course, I will follow up with everyone in this thread to let you know which way I went. Thank you so much!