Another possibility might be to put a different evergreen on the other side. A sky pencil holly, or one of those boxwoods that grows upright rather than being clipped into yet another globe, or a dwarf rhododendron? The two sides would be balanced, but not symmetrical.

I like Nell's idea of the dwarf rhody. Something that kind of repeats the shape of the globe. I think putting another globe there will make it look too formal.

Something that could also add "structure" is to make a crisp edging around your existing beds. (Having done it with one of my own carefree gardens this past weekend, I can tell you that it's amazing how something so simple can make such a difference!)

I can see you have some wonderful things planted and I'm sure it will be beautiful in bloom no matter what you do to it!

Patti

Thank you both! So you are saying a different evergreen? Would I put the taller one on the lower side or am I thinking about this too much!

I am not sure about the rhodie since this area gets alot of sun?

My original plan was to move a small polyantha rose called White Pet here. It is small (2 feet) and spreading with mostly evergreen foliage. Would that work?

Patti - I am still digging out here but do plan to have the sharp edge with a small trench. I started doing that a few years ago and it really does make a big difference, especially when your gardens are a bit messy!

This picture shows a mess because of the daffodils falling all over each other. They need to be divided since they must have been planted many years ago. I've dug some up and have found 20 bulbs in one small hole!

What do you think about the stone markers?

Hi Maureen, I have been studying your picture. I think the little globe evergreen still looks lost there. Not sure another one on the other side would fix it, like you said the slope is a problem. Of course, in the future, when he is bigger, it will look different. Here is what I am thinking. I love the stone markers, from what I can see, but I really had to look to find them. So I think they need to be higher. This would more clearly mark the entryway. Could you build an inexpensive and small pedestal for them, I'm thinking like a 1 ft x 1 ft x 2 ft high pedestal out of bricks or pavers or treated wood, and top with the markers? Then perhaps the globe evergreen in front of each, and you could even adjust the height of the pedestal so that it looks even in height. The globes in front would hide any difference in the height of the pedestal. I hope you see what I am talking about. Then, if you want a garden that looks good year round, you will have to carefully think of evergreens or plants with winter interest like berries, or bark, or very early spring bloom to put in there. Weighing all the options and then having to make a decision is the hardest part. I torment over stuff like this!
Laurie

When you say you are redoing this area, do you mean you are taking up all the plants then replanting?

If not I think one thing you could do is to extend both beds to the point of those two flagstones. Just rounding the front to meet up with those stones. That way the globe bush would not be at the beginning of the pathway and no need to balance it off on the other side. Also, you get more room to plant :) Maybe a little garden/welcome stake at the new beginning of the beds...

I agree that a clean edge on the beds will make a huge difference. I have been doing that with my own for the last couple of years and really like the look. You get the structure without having to ammend your beds to be "little soldiers" lined up like in formal beds. You would then have controlled chaos which stays with the cottage look but give you the structure you want as this is your main entryway.

I think I would still do a small flowering bush on the left side to balance off the bushes/trees you have on the right. I would put it to the left of your daylillies.

Good luck and please post pics when you are done! Would love to see what you decide to do!

Thanks, Laurie, I do find this agonizing. The markers are weird because only the top 1/3 is decorative. But maybe I'm burying them too deep. I like your idea about the pedestal - I do have leftover little bits of flagstone I could use to lift them up.

I have good soil and know a bit about plants. The design part just throws me. I have read tons of books and look at other people's gardens and know what needs fixing. But I am lost with my own garden, because I love plants rather than "landscaping". That's why I posted here rather than the Landscape Design forum. Ugh.

It's very hard to see in this photo but I have added red twig dogwood (behind globe), witch hazel and winterberry for winter interest)

Ms Scarlet, our posts crossed in the mail. Thanks for the advice. I am in the process of planting new shrubs and moving the existing shrubs and perennials around. I was getting overwhelmed with the thinning out so posted free plants on freecycle and people came and took a lot of it away.

I am adding a winterberry and 2 new roses to the left side!

Thanks for your help and I'll shut up now!