Want to expand your z5 semitropical and "tropical" options? Indiana Rick's website is inspirational! So many usefulul ideas there. I agree don't give up until you've tried it 3x and tested some tricks! Hardy Tropicals for Zone 5 !!!!! http://www.manchestergardenclub.com/rick/Tropicals/Tropicals.htm ________ Mulched here now in my more "gentle" z8b, until I have a backup clump stored to go "cold turkey". No the impressive Canna 'Durban" = 'Tropicanna' doesn't throw lower red spires! That's a compact Lobelia 'Starship Red' which has nice contrasting rich green leaves. This Cardinal Flower was easy to grow from seed* (as are Canna) and gets the hummingbirds darting all around to enhance the tropical theme. I like L. 'Vulcan Red' as well to for contrast. Dark maroon leaved and also more compact than L. 'Queen Victoria' with no staking needed. * After using many over the years, the best seed starting method that I've used over the years is a biodome and sponge block system or similar. Works best with heatmats and bright plant light. Effective, efficient, durable, flexible, and small footprint. http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4412727/looking-for-a-reliable-seed-starting-system

I haven't seen any mention of the tall white trumpet lilies. I suggest Lilium trumpet hybrid 'Emerald Angel' which is white with a green tint. It grows 3-5 ft and blooms in July. The trumpet lilies perfume the whole garden when they bloom. I have always been extremely fond of Datura. They are nocturnal, but they don't close up at the first ray of dawn. Some are extremely fragrant. There are several different species and cultivars to choose from. Colors range from pure white to cream and pale yellow. There are lavenders and whites with purple edges and throats. They have large, upfacing, trumpet shaped flowers. They are a herbaceous perennial in warmer climates and a reseeding annual in the colder zones. I liked the suggestion of Veronicastrum virginicum (culvers root). The tall white flower spikes seem to glow in the moonlight. Same goes for Aruncus dioicus (goats beard).

flora's comment is spot on - I guess I kind of thought that went without saying, but I'm glad she said it! You definitely want to plan each side of the sidewalk as one cohesive garden. One other thing that I keep coming back to. I know I said that if it were me, I wouldn't go too high with any plantings because I would not want to hide the beautiful stonework and porch. That being said, you do want to try to have some varying heights of plants, and I even wonder if I would put something off to the far left (as you look at the house). Ideally, I see a small tree there, but in my entire gardening experience I have never seen a small tree that stays a small tree. And by small I mean like 10 feet, lol. I wish someone would breed something that would stay that height. Anyway, maybe something like a pyramidal conifer of some kind forward and to the left of the left end of the house. Again, not sure of sun conditions and what would work. Or maybe a low-growing, mounding japanese maple in that spot. It wouldn't grow that high but would certainly be a nice eye-catching addition (again if they grow in your sun conditions. I have no experience with japanese maples but love them, lol! Haven't had the courage to decide on one and plant it yet!) Anything taller in this spot would (I think) help balance things and add variety in height at the same time, and also extend the bed which IMO isn't a bad thing. I just think you need to find some kind of balance between hiding your lovely house and ending up with a garden that is all at the same level. I don't know, maybe even some small, pyramidal potted evergreens on the insides of the inner columns... or maybe a clematis growing up one of the columns... or even hanging baskets in summer...

"I really don’t care what the home looks like from the road." You should. Our first perception of a house is, or any building for that matter, a stong one and will carry though the entire experience, be it of a short or long term duration. And the Chesapeake Bay has more stringent impervious area criteria than what you listed. My lot was smaller (50'x250') and 22% max. impervious area so that's not a big driver if there's someone who can creatively work with the regulations. Don't get hung up on preconceived ideas. Another one being "am thinking that the existing house could become the garage and attach the new home on the lake side of that." and leave it to your architect to work through all your wants within the framework of your program. If he/she is a creative one, you might be surprised. One of the best things to hear is "I never thought of that!". A good architect, when given the chance, will provide a design that can give a client everything they want, but often in ways completely unexpected. But for that to happen it takes a critical element necessary on the part of the client in every successful project and that element is trust. Often during our initial meeting, the client will reveal their ability or inability to trust others. If I feel the element of trust is not there they will likely be referred to a permit drafter. A creative person should explore other approaches with you in the spirit of "That's great but have you thought of this.......". But for that to be carried forward successfully it takes a trusting client to not only allow the architect to expand on alternative ideas but to objectively look at other approaches in a collaborative effort with the architect. And that's an intangible that all successful projects are born out of. I can't tell you how many times a client sitting across the table from me has said "Wow! We never thought of that. We like the kitchen idea but how 'bout if we move the entry here and the...." As I hand them the pen. In some of those design sessions the client commands the pen almost as much as I do! Just be ready to expect any preconceived ideas to be questioned. They may in fact turn out to be perfectly valid but at least they've been evaluated against alternates as any good architect should do. Finally, regarding preconceived ideas, I've quoted before on this board before these two quotes by two creative people..... Henry Ford observed "If I had asked people what they wanted they would have told me 'A faster horse' ". And Steve Jobs mused “A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them. Everyone wanted an iPhone when they first appeared, but no one could have described what they wanted before seeing one". So put trust in your architect to carry you through the process in the spirit of Mr. Ford and Mr. Jobs and you'll have a home that is the very best.