Well, I ended up buying another magic carpet spirea. It's nice and moundy shaped like I wanted, but the foliage can't substitute for strawberries, so now the bed is kind of out of whack, all the leaves look the same in that area. On the flip side, having more repetition has tied the two beds on the sides of my patio more together. I think I am almost there though. Just ripping out those strawberries with their copious runners did a world of good, making the whole think look neat, tidy and low maintenance, which I think will be a good selling point. Today back at work I noticed a patch of gorgeous sedums growing with beautiful pink flowers. I'd never seen that variety before. They would have made a good subsitute, with larger leaves. I can never find good sedums at the local nurseries though, and I don't have time or inclination to mail order. Someday if I ever get a house of my own again I definately want a little sedum patch! BTW, I think these "what to plant where" posts are an important part of landscaping, expecially in a small yard like mine. Tiny, micro yard landscaping is a bit like landscaping a japanese garden. Every plant has a specific role and function in the unified whole, and it takes a lot of work to balance color, form, leaf shape, bloom times, etc. to acheive a harmonious whole. I even threw in "something edible" as a function for some of my plants. I can't think it out on paper, I have to experiment. Some areas of my garden look just right, others need some work but sadly I'll never get to them. They look good enough for the average joe. I love these plants like thyme that do double duty, or others that are multiple seasons. You really have to select plants that are versatile in this situation. I took some pics and hopefully will be able to post eventually when I have the time to process them.

What about crown of thorns? The common variety blooms all year for me and requires minimal care even in a pot. Does fine with that amount of light. I think it's probably salt tolerant at that level. Also, maybe russelia equisetiformis (firecracker plant). Would look pretty draping over a pot on the balcony. May not bloom well if sun is too little though. Succulents such as aloe, kalanchoe of all types, probably some rhipsalis in baskets. I'll keep thinking. Anna

Our deer definitely have holly on the menu. If the site is in sun, look at junipers. Some have blight issues, and I don't know enough about them to say which ones, but deer do tend to pass them by. For shade, boxwood is the only evergreen I know that deer won't decimate.

I use Thuja occidentalis 'Tom Thumb' in several areas and highly recommend it. "Any ideas for small evergreen plantings, low maintenance that will grow well in full afternoon sun (front yard) as well as part shade (back yard)" You haven't specified size other than 'small' which IMO could mean anything. But my low maintenance evergreens include Pieris, Hellebores, Boxwoods, all the other dwarf conifers, hardy Geraniums, evergreen Azaleas and Rhododendrons, smaller hollies, Euonymus, Inkberry, Kalmia, Abelia, and Cotoneaster. I would consider all of these low maintenance once the establishment phase is passed and you have to do that with any plant. They all need some care. If you want a ground cover I'd use Pachysandra. It does spread but it's the easiest of all the groundcovers to control as it pulls out really easily.