For plant size, I was looking towards a low-growing ( Jenny - that first pic reminds me of the Candytuft that I've got planted between the pond and patio - it's just a huge sea of white flowers at the moment. Actually, here's a couple pics to show what's been done. The first pic shows the edge after I removed the rockwork and exposed the liner. This was the lowest point of the pond edge before I started, and it needed a bit of work anyway. Second pic shows the results of the day's labor. I reinforced the edge with some lightweight concrete blocks (pulling the liner over and burying it behind the blocks) under the rock cover, and each of the white tags is a Crocosmia bulb. We will have to wait and see how many actually come up. And the last shot is the current work-in-progress. There used to be some huge ornamental grasses around the skimmer that the previous owner had planted (flagstone), but they made accessing the skimmer a lot harder so away they went. I'll be moving the Coral Bells to the front edge of the skimmer and plant some Canna where the C.B.'s are now. The flagstone will also be replaced with a dock cover in the near future, and I've got some red Asiatic lilies that need a new home, so they'll probably go next to the Candytuft where the mound of Coreopsis currently resides. A continual work-in-progress (isn't everything?) Thanks, all!

Kenny, Where are you located and what is your USDA zone?

Coral bells are not the longest lived of plants, specially those hybrids with burgundy or purple foliage. You might want to try wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens. It is a native plant, evergreen. Foliage turns reddish with winter cold (sometimes very brightly red) and smells like wintergreen lifsavers when bruised or crushed. Produces small pinkish-white, bell shaped flowers that are followed by rather large bright red berries. Does best in part shade and needs even moisture.

Emily Don't know if I can be of much help as I grow them outdoors one as a Bonsai and another as a yard plant a gold leaf form. Seems to be a bunch of different kinds and for the life of me can't remember which I have.Be kind I'm old lol. They are very easy to grow here and I do nothing special for the yard plant.Don't even water it regularly. The Bonsai is in compacted shagnum and i keep it regularly watered and in spring give it some 20-20-20. they aren't particularly cold sensitive but i don't like to encourage growth until spring mainly because i want it to stay under two feet. Not much help I'm afraid Was hoping someone more knowledgeble would chime in. i have a question for you. Do yours leaves fold at night.?? I've had the bonsai for over 15 years and just now noticed it lol I keep forgetting to check the yard plant for this . gary