I love the pattern you've chosen. The white does look a bit creamy, but being outside, most white becomes off white (or off white/pewter) eventually, even with regular cleaning so they might work. It's hard to tell with the photos if it will blend or not. I like the idea of a white coping, simply because it will frame your design better and better delineate the edge of the area. If the slightly creamy white blends, I'd go for it. If it looks "dirty" compared to your white/pewter you may be best going with more white/pewter for coping.

OK it's a moot point now but for future reference and other readers... Yes the definition of clean fill in many places (statutorily in my state) is clean soil, rock, gravel, sand, brick, concrete, but with NO decomposable content such as wood and roots. If you get that when you ask for clean fill soil you are really getting 'miscellaneous crap fill'. And yes soil will settle particularly if it's not compacted when put down. Probably far more than what a few chunks of wood would lead to. Best to compact the subsoil in layers less than a foot thick. Topsoil you don't want compacted quite as much but it does need to be firmed a bit to make a solid and smooth surface that won't settle into bumps and dips.

Yea, I guess it's not a big deal if it's not painted behind the gutter, but really? Why would a contractor cheat in this way...should have put a note on the boards to the customer that says 'here, complain about this'.

Sherrygirl, my Dream Queen is doing well where she is in light shade with late afternoon sun. Royal Wedding is nearby and does look eaten.... but by what, I don’t know..... no rabbits or other small critters here with yard cats. But my cats from time to time nibble on leaves when they are pipping up a few inches, but never seen them bite a leaf to the ground. Go figure. No deer either....... I am a city gardener. I have plenty of squirrels, but even though they dig around the plants at times, never seen them nibble. ken, I think I will dig it out and see what it looks like......maybe give it the driveway treatment and pot it up to see if anything happens. Just so happens I have a lovely Lemontini that would look great there! I will try some sun for GE if anything is worth saving.