Is it important to you to have a finished design now? Why not go with your impulses, buy multiples of the ornamental grasses and other foliage plants you like, put them in the amended soil, and (this is important) mulch heavily. Then you can relax and enjoy what you've done, knowing you won't have empty holes in the garden and you can plot your next moves at your leisure. A garden is never "done" anyway. It's a lifelong journey.

This is true. I guess what I need help with is deciding on what shrubs I should include since they are not easily moved. I'm also not sure if I should put in a small tree at the corner of the garden. I think I will likely plant in the existing foundation garden this year but next year I think I would like to extend it out but I guess I will make a new post when that time comes.

Here are some general suggestions of bed layout and plant forms you might put in it. I see a possible need for screening some of the neighboring property at the left. A weeping tree form with shrub or perennial mass below might be enough to help with that. For example, weeping crab w/ 'Incrediball' Hydrangea--or a bed of Hosta--below. But you could come up with many possible alternatives. The colors used are not suggestions of actual, but are only used to show differentiation between masses.

Before I think "I like a certain plant so will use it" I ask what plant forms are needed and will work to take care of any problems, will fit in the allotted space and accept the physical conditions that are presented by the site. It helps to keep plants that aren't the best solutions out of the picture.

Yardvaark, I love what you have done! In fact...I'm 99% sure it was you that suggested removing the island garden and limbing up the red maple at the curb.

I was obviously considering a tree there but to see it in these photos and to get an idea of what it will actually (somewhat) look like, I'm definitely being sold on putting one in. The only problem is that our lot is pie shaped and cannot extend the garden out to the side much at all. I'm wondering if extending it forward and incorporating the tree is still a good idea since it will likely cover a majority of the window.

I've included a photo to show the property line (My neighbour had just cut his grass and I find the line to be very obvious). I measured and the grass area from the corner of the house to the property line is about 5 feet but if I ever want to have access to that side I feel I need to leave room or at least create some kind of path or stepping stone.

{{gwi:28727}}

If you decide to use Incrediballs (which I love), know that they seem to want to be BIG. I have some in my front yard, eastern exposure, that were planted in 2010.

Last year I left them unpruned (just deadheaded in spring and cleaned up a bit) to see what they'd do. It ended up that I had to cut back some of the new stems (the new growth from the base) at 36" and sacrifice their flowers just to keep the shrubs somewhat symmetrical. Some new branches looked to be heading toward 5', but they weren't spread evenly over the Incrediballs I have planted together.

Love your house - it's really very attractive!

And Yardvaark, I've been lurking here a lot lately, and always appreciate your designs. You've helped me see things in my own yard differently. Unfortunately, that means that a couple things leftover from my 30-year-old landscaping bug me even more than they used to, but hey, when I'm ready to replace them, I'll be better prepared. :-)

Well, that is a predicament about the lot line and if it was my predicament, I'd hope to be on good terms with those neighbors and ask them if they, also, thought a tree would work well for them in that location. Especially if I bought, planted & gave to them as a gift. Of course, the plan is fraught with potential difficulties down the road if friendship cools or unfriendly neighbors move to there later. But what are the alternatives?

I don't remember the yard from before, but can believe it would be me who'd say remove the island and limb up a tree. Totally believable.

@ruth_mi, "You've helped me see things in my own yard differently." .... then my plan is working :-) Thanks.