We definitely plan to keep everything trimmed rather than billowy and do plan to mulch the entire area.Just trying to figure out what ground cover and perennials to add before it gets mulched. We have 3 ft for the roses to grow up to the windows and like you said wouldn't be bad if they came up past the window a little. I will recheck the depth from the wall, we may have them too close. You are right about the Nandinas. I couldn't remember which one I wanted Firepower or Harbor Dwarf and it was the latter so will change them out. I saw them today with rose shrubs and laurels and they looked great. I actually was interested in a loose shrub by the door behind the boxwoods but couldn't think of something that would look appropriate. Wasn't sure if the camelia could work there or a viburnum? Any suggestions? Thanks.Glad you caught the Nandina mistake.

For those of you that love this plant-WARNING! My mother’s house had an entire interior corner on her brick house filled with it. Due to a malfunctioning downspout, they were getting lots of water, and the roots advanced under the brick foundation and the slab. By the time I discovered the problem, the brick veneer on the house is settling ( the house is 60 years old, and we had never had this problem). A full repair would have cost about $9,000. We took part of the brick wall down to alleviate the weight, improved the drainage, and I dug up the entire root system, and got as much out from the slab as possible. We couldn’t afford a full repair. I now have the same problem on an outside corner where there is Nandina growing right up against the foundation (cracking brick, loose brick). I don’t even have a drainage problem there. Those red berries are pretty, but likely not worth the tens of thousands it may cost you in repairs. I am getting rid of every bit, to my mother’s dismay. Never grow this stuff near a foundation!

Donna, Unfortunately the berries are actually toxic to many birds and should not be viewed as a food source for them. This article discusses it and lists several native alternatives. http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2014/01/nandina_or_heavenly_bamboo_com.html The ASPCA also lists Nandina as toxic and potentially fatal to dogs, cats, and horses. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/nandina It is invasive in North Carolina and down through Texas, including Mississippi. Generally if a plant is listed as invasive by a state with a climate very similar to yours then that plant is invasive in your state, even if your state has not yet declared it as such. Kinds that don't produce berries are much better options, and if yours does produce berries then they should be removed.

We removed all the camellias under the Japanese maples ==>> wouldnt know a camelia if it bit me in the foot.. lol .... well.. with leaves.. you are already pretty well hidden .... changes the whole scope of the project ... if you have flowering shrubs.. when do they bloom.. and find some that bloom in other seasons.. if you can .... in my world.. warped as it is.. cabin means relaxing.. not high maintenance.. so i would make sure any new plants.. dont need much of anything ... like constant watering.. etc.. nor paths that need raking.. etc ... go walk in the woods behind your houses [???] ... and try to emulate a natural setting.. but with some well chosen out of the ordinary plants ... or go full on native.. and just harvest a bunch of natives from back in your forest ... and replant what bulldozer man destroyed ... do you really want a high maintenance girlfriend out the front door [or gigolo.. if you are of that persuasion] .... lol mock orange is a later bloomer ... is philedelphus possible in GA??? ... however you spell it.. lol ... if interested.. there are sublime ones.. and carp one.. and some can get huge.. chose wisely ... well that was a ramble of epic proportions.. time to sign off ... ken