This may be totally off ... but how does a point of reference influence our perception of balance? If one were to step out onto RoseAbbey's patio from the house would the perception pick up on a mass over there and another over there, but the primary focus would be on the lake. Then one would realize that, "Oh, if I go to the gazebo, I'm going to have a better view of the lake?" How does the lakefront play into this, or am I rowing my boat in the wrong direction? I guess what I'm really trying to point out is that some of the responses have been frustrated with an apparent lack of demarkation or definition ...But doesn't something as big as a lake change things? Several hints from RoseAbbey point to a real spaciousness here. Possibly an issue of scale? In my neighborhood lots back up to the back fence of someone else's yard. In a way that tends to make one want to protect or enclose closer to the home, tricking the perception by blocking out the neighbor's in an effort to play with the impressions of both privacy and, oddly, spaciousness. But if my backyard backs up to a lake, there's something different going on, isn't there? So is "balance" here also helping to frame that primary experience? And, so, moving us over to the gazebo to get a better look? RoseAbbey- Without knowing what your plant palate already includes, it would be hard to suggest specifics. And what do you want? Simple, elegant, somewhat formal yet natural? Low key enough that your DH won't find it distracts from the gazebo's form? What has your designer used in the front and side areas? Any favorite shrubs there that would work as the base for the gazebo bed? Wellspring

Soil pH, whether acidic or alkaline, is the result of a chemical imbalance, not the type of soil it is. If you do the research, soil pH is directly related to its mineral content and the amount of rainfall that area receives. Soils with a high limestone content will tends towards alkalinity; those with a granite base will be more acidic and various other minerals will influence pH as well depending on their composition. Areas with high rainfall will also tend to produce acidic soils while those areas that are more arid with lower rainfall - less than 20 inches per year - tend to be alkaline. It has nothing to do with a chemical imbalance - it is what it is depending on location and soil composition and the chemicals result from whatever minerals are providing them. Rather than an 'imbalance' it is the natural state of the chemicals and how they react with each other depending on the soil type. Most soils will have a buffering capacity that resists pH change in varying degrees. Clay soils and those that are high in organic matter have a greater buffering capacity and resist any significant changes in pH. Very sandy soils have much less buffering capacity. It is very difficult to change an acidic soil - generally those with a high clay content - to an alkaline state. Since organic matter tends towards a more acidic pH and also increases the buffering capacity of the mix, I'd lean towards reducing that portion of the mix. Generally for inground planting conditions, an organic content of no more than 5-10% is more than adequate. Raised bed conditions would dictate something quite similar.

I can certainly empathize with you as 2 years ago I had several dumptruck loads of 'topsoil' delivered to fill low spots in my extended house yard and to enlarge and raise my center bed. Unfortunately that soil was loaded with weed seeds. I spent a lot of time weeding the bed and had any visitor :D who could hold a weedwhacker cut down the others in the outer yard. My weedwhacker is too heavy for me to use. I've finally eliminated the weeds in my center bed and have mulched my entire inner house yard with a thick layer of shredded bark which I hope discourages most of the weeds. It's taken 2 years to get it to a manageable state tho. Keep at it and don't let those weeds discourage you or win! I don't know what laws may be in place in your area re: wild plants but if you do transplant make sure you take lots of soil with them as some need specific soil and many don't like to be moved.

you might also consider.. make a wall space equal to that on the right of the window .... on the left side of the window ... ... to balance the window ... and then balance the bed and lamps independently .... you have two architectural/design objects.. bed and window... in your pic.. you ignored the window.. and centered the bed.. and that is why it looks off to you ... how it all works out.. to your eye... is left to fate ... meaning.. whatever pleases you ... ken