I'm going out of the box here and suggesting a tree shrub called "Harry Lauder's Walking Stick." It's also called "Corkscrew Hazel" and is in the hazelnut family. It's almost impossible to describe but it has a lovely weeping form with contorted branches, it is very sculptural. Google it to see pictures, and check out a few since not all photographers do it justice. I worked at a place that had one planed as a central specimen. It has yellow pendant flowers in the early spring, which are stunning, and it looks great in the winter due to it's twisting and turning branches. It is not quite as stunning in the middle of the summer although it still have a lovely form and lovely leaves then. There's no such thing as a perfect four season tree, but this one has two great ones, spring and winter. To me, a north country girl, the real test of a plant in my garden is do I love it in the winter, lol! The crabs are nice in late fall but not much in the winter. I agree that dogwood comes close to being a true four season wonder. Some of the japanese maples with interesting bark qualify too in my book. I think the weeping cherries look goofy in the winter, but some people like them and I could see the arguement in favor of them if you like the look.

Dear carolina8bn I live in Myrtle Beach and understand what you mean about the brutal heat! Your home is adorable and Charleston is a lovely place to live. I like the circle drive and to me, the center sidewalk is inviting. You could install pipes as youâd mentioned and build up the ground area but you can get plenty of privacy from plants and trees too. Here are plants that Iâve had success with in Myrtle Beach. You could add a dogwood tree and a dwarf magnolia. Both flowers are very pretty. Fill in the other areas with a few large rocks and add a couple gardenias and some hibiscus both of which will spread out a little and grow to be over 3ft tall. My hibiscuses are huge and seem to like the sun, the gardenia prefers a little afternoon shading but they smell so good. Add a couple Crape Myrtles, and an azalea too. The azalea is really popular here as they mark the arrival of springtime but after they bloom, their flowers turn brown and are ugly, pluck the dead blooms and the shrub will stay green. You could also add a Camellia which grows well here in the south and their flowers bloom in the colder months, this shrub is slow growing but beautiful, especially after a frost. All of these should be small enough to grow under your power lines. To save money, you could try ArborDayFoundation.org. I was able to buy something like 12 to 16 trees and shrubs for under $90. I planted them in pots until I had my area prepared. They were small but grew very well and this worked for me because I like to watch things grow. Also, the crape myrtle is super easy to root. If you take some clippings and place them in water, they will almost always grow. Ask a neighbor if you can clip some, we southerners love to share our plant clippings. You had mentioned the color of the gray driveway not being desirable and I see that you have retaining edgerâs near the ditch. I would add edging around your entire driveway on both sides to really define your drive. It looks like your driveway is gravel, if it is, then you can refresh the drive with a gravel that has natural colors. To me, defining your drive will add great curb appeal. The sidewalk through your new lush flowers will be nice and inviting to walk through once everything starts to grow. I donât know about your HOA but perhaps adding a small arbor on the sidewalk near the house and then adding some clematis vines to grow over would be nice. Happy planting!

Should have said, 3 dwarf hollies or 3 boxwoods, or a small japanese maple varities, probably laceleaf. Two purple hydrangas would look nice if you like them, though I don't. You can do a lot in that spot, just be careful not to pick anything that grows up past the window height.

I'd prefer a dark color, somewhere in the red to blue range. I don't need fall color. I've got some other things going on in that border in the fall so lack of fall color won't hurt it. Scent is the most important factor. It's going right next to the living room window and right next to the front door. The Bloomerang lilac might be my best choice if the foliage stays decent all year. I am still considering the Spiced Bouquet Viburnum. Do Hydrangea's or Weigela's have a scent? I was considering another rose, but the hardy roses are usually scentless and the non-hardy ones take a while to get going in the spring and generally don't form a nice bush shape here in Wisconsin.