Have you looked at the mature size of your plants? That seems like a lot of roses for 4' x 7'. I have a single lavender that is about 3' in diameter, see what I mean? When the plants are new little darlings, they will all fit, but as they grow, things will get very crowded. Also you will need to give more water to the roses, delphinium and foxglove, and keep the rosemary, sage, and lavender on the drier side, so group your plantings accordingly. Perhaps put the herbs in large terra cotta pots along the front of your bed?

Will you be waiting until spring to plant? It's a bit late unless you are buying larger potted plants, your list reflects a spring and summer garden. Where I live the Delphinium would be finished already, for example. If you are new to gardening this will be a good learning experience for you. Are you mad, overly ambitious or delusional? Oh, I hope so, most addicted gardeners are.

The planting will not be until next spring. The yard has not yet begun its reconstruction. I like the idea of the herbs in
large terra cotta pots (and that would create more room in the flower bed). And I will calculate the mature growth dimensions in adjusting the plans. Thank you so much. As you can tell, most of the flowers are white/purple/lavender - I wanted a blast of red with the Altissimo. Don't know if that would work aesthetically but...And thanks again, catkim, for your advice and encouragement!In my head, the idea works but I guess we'll see. Do I need some all green plants in there? Russian sage?

I live in similar circumstances. Your plants have to be tough to survive tight urban conditions. I'd reconsider delphiniums. I mean I love, love them and they are gorgeous, but not easy to grow and they can peter out after a few years, although I have ones coming up from seed from time to time from my neighbors old and long gone perennial bed. So delphiniums are a luxury you may not be able to afford. One rose. If you can't decide the color, pick a varigated one, lol! Herbs in clay pots or porchboxes, yay! That's how I grow a lot of mine. Think about foxglove if your garden will ever receive visits from little kids--it's highly toxic. But if that's not a problem, it's gorgeous and hardy. It could give you some of the color you lost with the delphiniums. But it has leaves very similar to coneflower. The coneflower, delphinium and foxglove is the combo I'd try to edit, depending on what your priorities are--I'd take out one. Bunnies love to eat coneflower, if you have any of them around they may make short shrift of it. My local bunnies practically destroyed my asters last year. The rabbits can't get through my fence, it's those darn little bunnies!!

Oh, I forgot to add some suggestions--some daffodils and/or hyacinths for spring color and scent. Also possibly some type of dianthus--a smelly, hardy perrennial one. Also consider oregano--it's dead easy to grow and the flowers are pretty. Purple asters for their gorgeous fall show, although they are ho hum the rest of the year. A small buddlia, but get a purple one. It is so much fun to watch the butterflies on those! They do OK in pots. My neighbor has a garden very similar to what you describe. Maybe add some silver foliage for the color contrast--some type of artemisia or lamb's ears? Coreopsis is another perennial flower possibility--dead easy to grow and great flower show.
You can always add annuals too, to jazz it up. Just my .02 from what I've seen people enjoying around the 'hood here--go with your taste and trial and error to see what works. You're gonna love it!!

I don't really understand what sort of space you have. I get it that it's a concrete, walled backyard. ButÂhow big is it? Why a 4' x 7' container and not one that is larger? Does it take up one end of this patio area?

The good news is that a concrete patio can be a fun place to play with plants and outdoor living space, but your post starts off sounding like all the plants have to go in this one container. Then you loosen up and say you like the idea of terracotta pots Still, I have no clue what else you want to be able to do in this space. Drink coffee? Share an intimate meal with a friend? Set up a hammock and read? I'm not even clear which direction the back faces although you do tell us that the lg container will be at the south and west. Presumably a corner?

SoÂgive us/me a clue or two.

Wellspring

Thanks for all your replies! I'll try to describe the space better. My yard is very small (12' x 18'). Imagine a cement rectangle whereon a wooden deck will be built along with two stationary brick containers.

The one brick container being built, referenced above), is at one end corner of the yard. The one wall there (the 7' one) leads to a breezeway (not included in the measurements)but that is a separate, utilitarian space for bike, air conditioning unit, sundry items). There is a 5' empty space there for access to the breezeway, or simply a standing place if a larger group is gathered, or perhaps for a Big Green Egg. There is a wooden bench being built that will run along the above container around the back wall (14')and end with a smaller 2' x 2' brick container being built for a focal tree: an azara microphylla variegata pruned to a single limbed tree. (the remaining 2' is empty to allow the foor to the alleyway to be opened if needed). Although the bench will have the ability to seat quite a number of people, there will only be a small table at the "elbow" of the bench along the larger container for two of us to have morning coffee or evening martinis. A larger folding table will be brought out if we entertain a larger group for a sit down, outdoor dinner.

There will be space along a third wall for potted plants - my kitchen herbs, both annuals (lemon verbena & basils)as well as perennial herbs - they have to be movable because there will be an access panel to a cellar door that will now be covered by the wooden deck.

One flowerbox will be under a window for colorful annuals.

I hope that gives a clearer picture, wellspring.And 1pinkmountain, thanks, I didn't realize a small buddleia would be happy in a pot!

Well, I don't know about indefinately, but I kept mine alive for two years. I just never found a place to plant it. There are some folks who will tell you that you can keep anything alive in pots, you'll find them on the container gardening forum, which you might want to peruse for ideas and check out.

As for buddleia, it also attracts bees, which you may not want if you're doing a lot of entertaining. Lavender does too, I was sitting sipping coffee at an outdoor cafe today and the lavender in the adjoining planter was abuzz. This didn't bother me, as my coffee and I were not of interest to them with all that lavender, but I know such things do bother some people. I'm not saying don't plant it, just consider its placement. I love both plants and have lavender in my garden along the back path. I don't have buddleia yet, I gave away the one I had because white buddleia does not attract butterflies. I'm going to have to wait and see if I can fit a purple one in. I''m redoing the garden this fall, as it has had some serious problems this summer. Maybe I'll put the buddleia in a pot, lol!!