Obviously, you love ornamental grasses, but if you put them on an east or north-east exposure, they may not love you. Start with one or two; don't go too nuts -- they might not get enough sun, so you don't want to be experimenting with a big investment. Improve your soil and whatever you get, you need to water regularly (at least 20 minutes of gentle watering every three or four days unless it rains) so you won't have bad spider mite infestations and so azaleas can thrive in what should be perfect light conditions for them. Don't plant shrubs right up against a tree trunk, of course -- they need room for their roots to grow and get water. Hollies and yews should be easy-care, so if they are not doing well for you, examine the soil and your watering schedule. I would put some lovely small ornamental trees -- one, two or three -- near the front door. Try amelanchiers (serviceberry trees) or a cercis. You will get a bit of uplifting height with those slender trunks; the foliage on those is mostly airy and up top. Flank those with Japanese maples -- simple, green viridis -- or part-shade shrubs with lacy foliage... perhaps that newer cultivar of sambucus -- what is it called, 'Black Lace'? 'Black Beauty'? Something like that. Anchor with (evergreen) rhododendrons and/or azaleas, perhaps some mountain laurel (kalmia) or very late-flowering camellia. Tuck a few hydrangeas behind the lower evergreen shrubs. Perhaps also a viburnum or three, but only if it can get some sun. Perennials: hellebores, hostas, epimediums, bergenia, brunnera. Bulbs: ipheion, chionodoxa. Groundcovers: lamium, asarum europaeum. Annuals: impatiens, of course.

Katie, your picture is very dark. We really can't see details. Maybe take another one?

It does seem odd but I assumed the potted Hibiscus was left by the previous owners since it was on the list of what came with the new home. I was going by the leaf shape and texture (they are more ovate and glossy) plus the way the buds are carried and the appearance of the calyx. I do grow H syriacus in my garden and I am familiar with H rosa-sinensis as a pot plant. So I just said what I thought. But I may be wrong. It will become clear which it is once it blooms. Maybe someone else can comment.

First one could be a Hoya. I'm more used to seeing the ponytail palm (it's not a palm btw) as a single plant per pot, you might want to consider potting on individually, or not, whatever floats your boat!