I have to say my first thought was ferns too, and depending on how closely you look at them and whether you have snow cover in winter, you might even choose some of the deciduous varieties which are stunning up close (OK, I like ferns). As for shrubs, if you want to treat this plant like boxwood then you might as well use boxwood. There are over 200 varieties and some grow very slowly so I'm sure you can find something that will be OK in the pots for at least 5 years - but then anything will need repotting for soil replenishment anyway around that time. You may have to go to a specialty supplier, probably on-line. If you can dispense with round and want a small and interesting evergreen shrub, I might suggest a holly that has more interesting leaves and structure - I love Ilex (I think it's crenata) 'Mariesii' or there's an even smaller one or two called, I think, 'Green Pagoda' and I can't remember the other - I could check later. They have neat shapes and grow slowly. But from a distance they might just look blobby, and then you might as well have your globe. To some extent the choice depends on from where you will view these planters. If only from a distance, then shape is your issue and leaves don't matter. Or maybe your look is starkly formal, which I have to admit I really admire in many settings. I'd just never have the self-discipline to forego the more interesting plants, but the truth is that the more interesting the plants, the more informal the look. There are some tiny yews if you go to specialized suppliers, but I'm not sure they lend themselves to pruning. A plant you want to shear, as I say, might as well have no intrinsic personality as all its personality will be pruned into it and will come from its role in the overall design. Kind of like a chorus girl vs. a prima ballerina, and a show made up of prima ballerinas would be a bit of a mess! Short answer: find a slow-growing boxwood, and do your pruning thing! KarinL

The plant with the purple foliage may be Lysimachia ciliata atropurpurea.

Hi Wendy, I haven't gotten your email. I sent an email to you through gardenweb. hopefully, we can get connected soon! Here's my direct email: paemchen@hotmail.com

what is your zone? 2 feet is a good depth, I don't know where your freeze depth is, I don't know where you live. A hardy water lily is a floater. You could put it in the middle of the pond and let it grow. Ask at the pond place, they will tell you what to do, they are real easy to care for too. Get fertilizer tabs if you decide you want a lily while you are there. Without a shelf, you will have to stick with plants that grow tall and don't mind a 2 ft depth, that is why I am leaning towards a water lily. If you want something else, you will have to prop it up a bit. Some people use rocks, others use those plastic crates, you probably bought plants by now anyway. Good luck with your pond, I hope you enjoy it. Don't put a lotus in a pond, especially your pond's small size. It'll take it over, fast. Grow it in a pot outside the pond. LOL