Its an awkward kind of space. When I get stumped on what to plant, I drive around and try to get ideas. Look at what people around there plant on their north sides and try to visualize it there. I think that is what I would do. I grow quite of few sun loving plants on my north side. You could do it like a section of low growing and then a taller plant and then repeat the low growing then the taller and on down the length of the wall. On that narrow row area, I'd keep it very simple and use low maintenance plants that can stand drought. If you really want to go fancy with it, you could dig a narrow bed in front of the wall (or better yet, a gently curved one) and plant groupings of rounded plants and some vertical ones. Perennials and ornamental grasses would be nice mixed. Then plant something that spills over the wall and use colors that compliment each other. Maybe some kind of ground cover like Gregg Dalea, various sedums or a creeping thyme, something that likes it dry so you won't have to worry so much about watering with it up higher. It would have good drainage up high like that and the soil might get on the dry side pretty quickly with the wall and all. Pick your colors. Then pick your basic shapes. Then choose your plants. Thats a good rule of thumb for design.

Thanks everyone. I was definitely leaning towards the equidistant columns plan. Holly, that's a great idea, but my concern with that is two fold--first, these columns are bloody expensive, but second, our porch isn't terribly deep, and if these are 18" x 18" at their base, it does not leave much room behind each column. Four columns would leave little space for chairs between the columns, and I'm afraid would look a bit busy. Thanks Autumn, we are thrilled with the little girl! But there are definitely some bright spots form the house planning, as well. Frankly, the plan we're getting is not clearly worse than the one I created, and in a few ways is better. And, had I not struggled over that plan and received acres of great advice here, I would not have known what to change about the plan to make it really work well for our family. Here is a cut out of the floor plan of the front. I know this builder has had problems with people copying this plan illegally, so I'm not sure I'm comfortable posting the whole thing without his approval. The plan is scanned a bit crooked, but assume it's straight (and I had to reverse the plan to match our house). I've drawn in the lines and measurements to the center of each 18" column base, the window, and the door. Off to the left is the garage; the room on the front right is the living room, and there is a 6' deep entry hall as soon as you enter the front door. See how I really don't think it changes too much to have the door move the door around--it might change the view through the sidelites and what you see when you first walk in, but I think that is minor compared to how the house will look from the street.

This forum is frequented by all levels of African Violet growers.., beginners to advanced. I first found the site in around 2000, and I've enjoyed all of my time here since. As to it's placement in Houzz, that's a matter for site management. Houzz bought the Gardenweb site a few years ago, and well, ... it is what it is. There were a lot of initial complaints, but we've gotten back to the business of our AV avocation.' I have tried other sites, ... but none that I know of is as well-traveled as this one. There's usually always, at least, a half-dozen enthusiasts around with which to share or learn a latest AV insight or achievement. So ... stay a while, at least . Check out some of the other sites too, if you like. I think that the alternative site information was just that ... additional information for a fellow AV grower. No need to take offense. We welcome all who share our love of AV's ... and we welcome you ...

The 5% loss is not a big deal if the current line set is an allowable size. A 30+ year old line set hidden inside a wall has the potential to develop a leak in the future even it were the correct size. I think you should spend the extra money and replace it. It sounds like your contractor does not want to get involved in removing and repairing drywall. If you can't do it, then hire someone to prepare the opening prior to the HVAC installation, and repair it after the line set installation.