I always like the bad news first - the crepe myrtle is too close to the house and should be moved while it still can be. The boxwood will eventually outgrow it's little space, but that can take a hard pruning to keep it for a few years. The fallen leaves are okay. The silvery plants are Dusty Miller - and I think the snaps, plumbago, alyssum, and dianthus are fine. A nice change from the tortured into submission evergreens in some yards. Snaps will wilt when they need water; but they'll put out more bloom spikes if you pinch off the spent ones. Your conditions in zone 8 are much different than mine in zone 4 - we rarely get prolonged heat enough to bake a garden like you probably do in Houston. I wouldn't plant anything directly over the buried downspout extension - too easy to forget it's there and slice through it with a shovel or something. Some more snaps underneath the arrow, some more allysum on the up side of the dianthus and you're all set.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Few people are using spot lights so what we say for lights doesn't necessarily apply to you, and nearness to windows, walls, and even the color of your furniture and carpet make a difference.

Thanks Riverspots for your suggestion- I have actually seen one repro. of his work (at Ikea they have one which obviously is not the same but by him and the same idea =- women sitting at a bar socializing- but it is this painting- the whole theme of it- that I think is so great! I have researched this up the ying yang (trying to contact a gallery in Israel where the artist currently resides), but to be honest- I can't even come close to paying the prices for the original pieces. This one is (and i say this loosely) only $999.00 Still more than I would ever have spent on art in the past, but reasonable for something of this size and perfection.. I am not so concerned about the colors being off a little- My whole house is .full of earth-tones so I feel like no matter how off they are it will blend. I do appreciate your input though!! If i had a little spare change I might consider buying an original.. maybe someday!!! :)

Thanks for all the input. In Montreal we only Have one high-end nursery that sells these and the big box stores do not. It is a plain cercis canadensis. The grower is in Ontario with perhaps a milder zone. I don't think it was dug up from the wild. This one overwintered here in our conditions at the nursery and has done beautifully in terms of flowering and health. The price therefore might reflect this. I paid 450 Canadian for a 2.5 m high one. About 325 us? Even the small ones (4 feet) were almost 200 cad. I might be ripped off but I almost don't care? Supply and demand.... I think i will go for it. If you allow me to come back and ask questions :)