Woody, I'm no pro with photoimaging (paint.net - free download), so it is likely that the rendition is more than a little flawed, but circles are not for everyone either. I only use it here and you know that is not often. This is just an example of one way to do it. I like the circle because it has a containing feel to it and there is an automatic emphasis on the center point of an arc where there would not be such a reinforcement if it were a "U" shaped straight sided seating wall and rectangle patio. That would also introduce a line perpendicular to the face of the house very near to the jog that goes back to the door which will look very awkward if it is "almost, but not quite" in line with the jog. The curve allows going past the jog without making that awkward relationship.It is my way of avoiding the introduction of a conflict in this situation. Any of it can work, but the circle is easier to get away with. I completely understand that it won't float everyone's boat and I would do something different for you. Lazygardens made a great point on the "meet & greet" because now the focus is on an area that is not stuffed in a dark corner (the front door). It is a good example of changing the game to one that you can more easily win. If you don't like the context, make a new one. This is an intermediate stop on the way to the door and you know it before you get there. It is a great strategy when dealing with hidden doors. Looking through the sequence of photos on the thread, it starts with the (1) garage wall over powering the house, goes to (2) neutralizing the garage, (3) framing the house to move you toward the middle, (skip 4), and finally (5) placing yourself on the patio. Hopefully, whether or not you like the outcome, it demonstrates the impact of the accumulation of subtle techniques to mitigate existing negatives and enhance the positives. None of it has to do with what cultivar of plant you select - that too can take things to the next level, but this is working from general to specific. Plants were all chosen because I could grab them off of another photoimaging thing I did a while back and not because I selected specific plants. This example is all about abstracts influencing the big picture and not about what specifics were used to demonstrate it. I hope it makes people watch for these things and make their own judgements of what they see and can utilize to change a space or composition when they need to.

gee bboy.. she is at pine lake.. doesnt that narrow it down for you.. lol ... buddelia is not long lived enough for me in z5 ... and never got to the size you want.. but maybe its different in z7 as bboy notes.. we need a better idea of where you are to give suggestions. ... ken

I've grown seeds from that very same packet "Bring Home the Butterflies" (from Botanical Interests), and I live in San Francisco too. It's a great mix packet! Comes with so many different types, and lots of them too. I still have a bunch. Since those seeds come from all different climate zones, you don't need to worry about planting them too early or too late. In San Francisco, you can plant them pretty much any time of the year. I would recommend though, if you want to only plant a few types from that mix, that you look up information on those plants so you can give them the most suitable environment, because they are all different. (For instance, some plants might need darkness to germinate, some might need light, etc, some might need part shade, etc.) I know the packet is designed for the gardener to just toss a bunch of seeds on the ground and let nature do the rest, but I've planted mine separately just because I wanted to have individual plants, not a big crowded pot. Two years ago I first planted my butterfly seeds in the middle of summer and I had flowers all the way up until Christmas time. There will always be late-season bugs happy to find a home in your plants.

Terrene - There is a milkweed bug (do an internet image search) that will literally shave the blooms. Aphids can be an issue. I've not had Goldfinch take those seeds, but they always break stems and blooms to eat seeds from verbena bonariensis and susans. My milkweed is right beside the where the deer sleep every night and they've never touched any milkweed. Sometimes a fawn will taste something and spit it out! Rouge - asclepias tuberosa is difficult to move unless it's very young. Long taproot on older plants! You might consider collecting seeds (when you see silky threads in the burst pods with dried seeds). The seeds need cold stratification, so I sow them when the seeds would naturally drop from the plant. Mark the spot where you sow the seeds. Cameron