It is common for homeowners to focus on a tiny "problem area" and design around that one spot. However, you will be better served to evaluate your garden as a whole, and incorporate your solution into the entirety of the design.

I agree with Kim. And it look like you need some plants that get about 12' tall if you expect to get privacy from them. It could be small tree forms with some underplanting, or it could be tall shrubs.

What types of shrubs would you recommend? We were hoping to put in the two maiden grasses along with a butterfly bush, but think the butterfly bush will need more space.

Nobody can recommend any plants unless you tell us your general location. Georgia? Texas? Australia? Oregon?

Coastal Delaware

So, zone 7? You might get some good ideas at the Mid-Atlantic Gardening forum: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/midatl

I think I'd do a smallish tree like a redbud or something like that, one expected not to exceed 25 feet so it won't overpower your small yard. I'd plant it halfway between your porch and the corner. By the way, don't plant those grasses and butterfly bush where they are currently setting. Waaaaaay too close to the fence. Plus, they won't be adding much privacy for you December - February.

Thank you. I'm planning to plant the grass in the corner but move it away from the fence. Where would you recommend planting them?

Well, it's hard to say since I can only see one teeny tiny corner of your property. And it also depends on if you plant a tree in the area pictured.

It you want something that will cover the slot through the year, you might want to place an evergreen ... a yew for example, in that corner.

One of the evergreen viburnums--V. pragense, for example--would serve well.

Christina, you initially said that a purpose behind the plantings was to achieve "privacy." I think everyone is suggesting that you're not going to achieve it with maiden grass (first picture), and that you need a tall shrub or a small tree (second picture). If you plant tall, skinny shrubs, they won't "eat up" as much yard space, but will still provide privacy if planted closely together enough. You can plant a groundcover below small tree forms, or you can plant smaller plants in front of large shrubs. If you're going to achieve your goal, the maiden grass will go somewhere entirely different (that we can't see.)

Thank you. My husband planted the maiden grasses yesterday. Looking more for a block between the fence gaps I guess. What could we plan on front of the grasses? Feel like they need some flowers.

I think this is going to turn out to be a learning experience for you over the next few years when you see how huge that grass is going to become. In spite of people saying you must move it away from the fence, it is much too close to it and the bed it's in is much too small. One plant should not be closer than 3' to 3 1/2' to the fence. Also, there is no point in placing two like that. Isn't there another corner of the back yard where you could use it to balance out the overall scene? ...Or somewhere else? If you look how big and fat the plant is in my illustration, which I'm not exaggerating, you'll see that the current placement is not going to work out.

If you want to add color in front of the grass, increase the bed size large enough to accommodate more plants. You could expand the bed either to right or left along the fence. Or you could make a quarter circle bed that goes from side fence to back fence, and encircle the entire front of the grass with a lower perennial. Hybrid daylilies might work out well as they take full sun, are easy, and can be very long blooming. Or, you could do annuals.

In general, a landscaping principle is to plant in groups of threes. A group of three grasses will make a nice shape to fill in a corner triangle. One in the back at the pointy end, and then two in front. In front of grasses, plant in groups of five for masses of color with your flowers.

We tried to measure about 2.5 feet on either side of the fence. Will the plant just not grow as large, or just require increased cutting back due to the space constraints?

Planting anything with an expectation to constantly be cutting it back is not really to be recommended. The fence will not constrain the grass. It'll just grow up against and through it. Give plants enough room to grow to their natural shape from the start. Shrubs especially are constantly getting ruined by being planted in insufficient space. So far you've been given lots of advice and ideas but you seem to have made your mind up what you want to do. So, as Yardvaark diplomatically put it, you are in for a learning experience.