The house looks like it might be nice, but the walk looks like it is the basic utilitarian (only) walk sized for a mobile home. You might consider expanding the pad at the entrance to the full width of the center column span. (The walk leading to it could probably stand widening, too.) It is not an advantage to make the entrance area between the center columns appear less wide. Placing those tall planters in that space makes the entrance seem pinched, especially if there were plants in them. They are acting as part of a barrier system. I think they'd be better close to the house flanking the porch. Flanking the entrance to the porch, it would be better to plant something that attracts the view -- like flowers -- and stays low so as not to impede it. If not annuals, then a low perennial perennial or groundcover that blooms for some length of time ... Ajuga being one possibility. ... so as to make things look more inviting.

of course that's not your house ... otherwise your gardener would know what to plant.. lol ... do you understand how often these will need to be sheared.. to maintain the perfection ... maybe 3 times per year ... you up for that struggle???? ... call that 3 Saturdays a year .... maybe 4 in your zone ... i grew up having to maintain mom and dads privets ... i swore.. never again... just want you to understand what you are signing up for ... spacing would be to budget.. and necessity of speed in creating the look ... it means addressing your expectations .... fast means lots of plants close together ... high budget ... cheaper is spacing them out and letting them fill in .. i usually say.. i have more time than money.. .. all these considerations need to be decided.. then you worry about the plant itself ... [of course, you may have already done so] good luck ... and come back if you need planting help ... ken ps: privet.. boxwood.. equivalence as to the need to be sheared ...

Joanne, I just found this post and comments thread while searching for boxwoods that don't smell bad and discovered your beautiful walkway looking EXACTLY the way I want mine to look. I was out looking at shrubs to do this today in fact. How long did it take for the hedge to grow together? Does it smell bad as some people feel about boxwood? Why did you decide on the green ice mini roses instead of knock out roses? I find the regular knock out roses to be to large for this look anyway and the knock out drift roses I've planted aren't doing very well. Where did you find the mini roses and so many of them? My sidewalk curves similar to yours and I just took out the dwarf Japanese hollies that I tried which never flourished. I found enough Green Velvet boxwood at Home Depot today at $17 each for my 30+ sidewalk but wonder if they will be as good as getting the plants from a nursery (and paying more). I am glad you went with your vision and I'm happy that you have shared it here as it's the same one I have. Now I'm encouraged to get the plants in and hope it doesn't take 5 years to be as pretty as yours but I suppose it will be worth the wait if it does. One last question - where do you live? I live in Northern Virginia. Thanks very much.

welcome .. a pic would sure help ... i lived a nightmare of having to deal with mom and dads 65 feet of privets.. shearing them twice a year from the age i was old enough to use the electric shears ... and you are considering 3 times that length ... let me be clear.. you should think long and hard about the work involved in your dream hedge.. or the cost of hiring out the job twice a year forever ... every plant has an annual growth rate.. usually it is suggested that faster growing things.. develop problems faster ... and then peak and ebb faster ... its a fools errand to make decisions on what is fastest ... you also fail to mention the potential width of the space.... how much room do you have .... other than 140 feet long?? and there is nothing you can do .. to make things grow faster .... if snow is going to happen .. and there is plowing involved.. it is going to be problematic ... though i can understand the 'look' you are going for.. IMHO.. its a bit of a newbie dream ... reality can be a whole different universe .. short of a staff of gardeners to do the labor .... more facts .. and pix .. please ... ken