Maybe you could define - for yourself if for no one else - what "special" means to you. There are so many ways that shrubs can be special, especially from a close-up perspective. Let me give you an example. I know that I am a foliage gardener first, and I am also a plant minutiae gardener who likes to see things changing every day, and always having something to anticipate. For example, my favourite plants next to my front steps are Anemonopsis macrophylla, a perennial that takes months to form these little ball-shaped buds and then another eon to open them. Maybe I'm an easy mark, but I watch and enjoy that plant all spring and summer, same with a fern on the other side that unfurls huge fronds one at a time all summer. So for me, no matter how wonderful a flowering display might be (say, lilacs), the undistinguished foliage and (lack of) form of the plant makes it dull for me, especially because if something like that is next to the deck, by the time you can sit out there, there is nothing more to look forward to with it. It's done for the year. Your preferences may be totally different. You may be focussed on fragrance, or bloom colour (I go plant shopping with a friend who is into pastels. We never fight over a plant. If it's pink and fragrant she buys it, if it's orange and has great leaves, I do). Let me start by asking if your rhododendron diagnosis means no rhodos in that spot again? I fortunately haven't had to learn that. But if not by the deck, then perhaps in the other spot? There is a plethora of Rhodos with fabulous foliage and good form, but you have to hunt them down (such as the legendary Sir Charles Lemon that never blooms but with leaves like that, doesn't have to). I personally avoid the ones that turn into green blobs, have undistinguished foliage, and bloom in trusses (I'll flex on the last point to get the first two right). Now, here's the trick. If you know what you want, you may be able to get it from quite a common shrub. My little laugh at myself is that I have spent probably thousands on special shrubs (not kidding, I'm afraid), but of those that have survived, few have given me the enjoyment that a garden-variety blue hydrangea has - one left behind in a pot by the previous owner; I don't even know what it is. Similarly, because mock orange takes a long time to get its act together each year, I actually really enjoy it (and that might be good for the spot beside the deck but some do get huge... and maybe they can in that spot). I'm not going to check zones for you, but here are a couple of shrubs I have enjoyed that might work by your deck: Disanthus, Loropetalum fire dance, Fothergilla, and unlikely but true, Rose of Sharon/Hibiscus - in my case, Red Heart. Love the branch structure and grey trunk of my hibiscus. On that note, you might also consider one of the smaller special bark trees, like an Acer griseum or Japanese maple with the stripe bark attribute. Yes, the maples are OK in part sun/shade. And you probably can't grow Edgeworthia, but if you can.. Beside the deck too you might consider specialty conifers. Once you get into them, there are some to die for. Tougher to find one that would work in more shade. Of the shrubs mentioned so far, I have to say I was all excited about getting an Itea, but in real life: deadly boring. In particular, in my climate it needs good sun to get its famed fall colour. Kalmia too, I just couldn't get too excited about it. Final word, I promise: by the wall, anything deciduous will lean for the light. I would recommend evergreen for sure there - rhodo if you can. Alternative: put a big focal point container there with something in it that you like. Karin L

mack26, could you post a pic? Perhaps that would elicit more help. However I fear you have entered into that place where you have already formed opinions and are planning foundation plantings which seem not to be what Landscape Designers here do. My best advice as a gardener (not by any means a Landscaper) is to amend that "typical VA clay" if you really want anything to grow well there. You might also look at the landscaping that high end homes in your area have or at pics on the net. Might help you 'think outside-the-box' with the best landscape plan for your property.

Mahonia, that is one shrub I have been meaning to add! Shadyplace, I was going to put holly on my short list but have read that some people have said that their holly is eaten by deer. Guess it depends on the severity of the Winter. I did notice deer eating some of my Japanese Holly this past winter, but I agree that Holly is NOT a deer favorite. But as you suggest, to thrive, holly does need some sun and don't think of it as a understory shade shrub/tree. P.S., Japanese Holly survived quite despite the experimental munching by local deer.

Red-twigged dogwood would show well against the white siding. The brick is too far down to be of any consequence, as I see it. There is also a dogwood with yellowish green stems that you might prefer. In either case, it's good to prune out a few of the older stems every year, as the younger ones have better colour. You might also consider a weeping pea shrub. They are nice and hardy, and wouldn't outgrow the space. The globe cedars could stay, you could add dogwoods or something similar and the contrast would make both look more interesting. Of course, then you might have to move flowers to a bed in front of the walk... How distressing. ;o) Another possibility would be a prostrate yellow evergreen to provide a shape, colour and texture contrast to the cedars. Or all of the above...