I see you added the pic of Podocarpus... that you are keeping as a bonsai. If a person wanted, they could keep an Oak tree at 18" ht. interminably by faithful regular cutting. But using such a plant in a tight space is far from optimum. In your case, Relleum, I'd select a different foundation plant for any new additions. In the future, the Podocarpus you already have may make its potential better known and cause you to want to replace it. As for what to use as a "foundation shrub" I'd consider that you probably don't need anything... depending on what groundcover you end up with. It may be high enough that it's sufficient. There's not a need to cover to cover all the space below the decorative brick band on the house. If you covered the bottom 12", or so, that would take care of it. If you must have a shrub, something that gets no taller than 2' without trimming for height, would be good. Even a perennial could work. Something like Gaura lindheimeri, though it gets 30"-36", it's upper portion is airily transparent in nearly constant bloom. Available in green foliage with white flowers or burgundy-tinted foliage with pink flowers. You could check locally for other shrub and perennial possibilities in this height range.

I've said it before - but I had Kathy Tracey do my landscape design and I couldn't be happier. I didn't know the first thing about gardening (always lived in condos until now) and didn't know where to start. I did know I didn't want an ordinary garden with ordinary plants. I actually had a hard time getting people to return my calls or actually show up for a consult! We'd ripped everything out, put in new hard scape (which I love but wish I'd consulted with Kathy on) started from scratch - she came out for the initial visit, and then about 2 weeks later presented us with 2 sets of plans and a rendering of what it would look like with our house. Her husband Chris then came back and did the installation. This year she came back in early spring to see how things were doing, and I made a trip out there last week to pick up replacement plants for the few that didn't make it. (at no charge of course.) She also sent me periodic emails with watering/pruning instructions. Very thorough. I'm not sure how far she would travel but I'd at least give her a call. :-) The design wasn't free - but totally worth it for me. We were also completely renovating the inside of the house and I couldn't deal with many more decisions LOL.

I love red bud trees! I grew up in VA and they are everywhere, I am going to reconsider the small magnolia. Also, still thinking of a crape myrtle. I will not do the dogwood, because they would be stand alone in the sun. My goal is to update the front of our home. I want to add some type of blooming element. I am not likely to plant annuals. I am not a fan of water features, other than maintaining our pool in the back yard. My likes are everywhere - i have even looked at palm trees. I like a reliable boxwood too. Yardvaak - maybe I can get some more photos today. It looks like the rain has stopped! I appreciate the feedback, so very much.

Have you considered any flowering plants for the backyard? You could use the same white fence from your backyard design for the fence next to your sidewalk in front, and put several rose plants along both fences. This would keep passing dogs from ruining your yard. And don’t forget a gate! (I would also line your walkway with annuals like snapdragons or other flowering annuals.) . If you really wanted to warm up your front of house, which looks very cold and stark to me, you could consider putting in some sort of arbor or pergola and grow wisteria on it! You have zero shade in any of your plans but maybe that is what you are looking for?