Deer love hydrangeas, and I'm amazed that if they come up to your front steps to eat arborvitae that they haven't stripped your rhodie and holly. I suggest that no matter what you put in there that you spray it with a good deer repellent. I like Deer Off and in winter I use Plantskydd on vulnerable shrubs. And use it on the rhodie and holly before some deer decides to taste test those. You might try the arborvitae again and keep it sprayed. Another vertical shrub that deer usually leave alone is Berberis 'Helmond's Pillar', though perhaps barberries are flora non grata in your state. Cephalotaxus look a lot like yews but are quite deer resistant (spray anyhow, you want their first experience with a new shrub to be a terrible one.)

Hi Kids, Thanks for starting this thread, saramynn. We also have a graduation in May, and have been trying to come up with somthing as a gift. When I think of a graduation gift I like to think of something that will have meaning to the graduate throught the years and remind them of their accomplishments each time they see it. That being said, I'm not crazy about a gift of technology just because of it's short life span. Money is always a safe bet but does not have that personal touch. I think I like sherrmanns idea of the Waterford crystal. Even if it was a smaller piece and then give an additional gift of cash. Thanks Kids, now I have a direction to go in. Good luck to everyone involved in there own quest for the perfect gift! sooey

The two reason not to have grass -- slope and shade -- looks like one of them is there and the other is coming. I think it would be better to extend the groundcover over to encapsulate the steps. If you want the step sides to show, you just have to keep any plants trimmed back a few inches. It will be a pain but it's your call. I wouldn't plant anything between the steps.

I would extend the concrete landing all the way to the edge of the left window and then have the step going the full length of that facing front. Then run the railing down the left side of the landing and steps. In order to meet building code, your landing should be a minimum of 36x36.