Encore azaleas can tolerate sun and are a medium size in several colors and reblooming so they might work for you.

Behind Encore azaleas, consider upright holly. Add variegated grass plants in front of Holly’s and then space azaleas with planting areas in between for annual color when azaleas stop blooming. Little Gem Magnolia could be worked in to vary heights for less formal look but still textured. The shiny green magnolia leafs are green year round and bloom in May/June in Georgia unless you are far north? Beautiful home. Have fun!

Here are examples of items I suggested above.

Opps. Here is Buford Holly.

The magnolia would work well between windows on right section of front. Plant 4-5’ from house. Another one could work on far left. I would widen bed to give it depth if 10-14’. Curve the edge for a more relaxed look. Add a large moss boulder in a couple spots for textural interest and grounding against this large home. You could also create a much more grand front space with a fountain and large walking paths. Just depends on budget and personal choices.

Here are some inspirational photos. Your home could use larger design for front landscaping.

If you want a grander look with fountain but budget doesn’t support it now, plan it out now and take it in steps. This is rough mock up to give you ideas.

The picture is neither very good for conveying the space, nor for using as a canvas for giving visual feedback. It would be much better to see the house in daylight, with the plants gone, and from a much closer distance. We're so far away here that the circular driveway is all but invisible. The dilemma for taking decent pictures is the drop in grade. You'd probably need to stand on a stepladder or in the bed of a pickup truck in order to get good pictures. Then, being as you'd be closer, you'd need to take a series of slightly overlapping pictures that pan across the scene while the camera remains at the single spot, merely pivoting. You'd need to also capture surroundings beyond the left and right ends of the house as part of the pan, as we should be able to see what shows up as background flanking the house.

A hedge marching across in front of the columns, instead of being becoming and enhancing, seems to me to obscure and diminish the potential that the house has.

Wow! Flo, thank you so much for these ideas. Our home is on a bit of a hill, and we are actually part of a small (10 homes) neighborhood. Our lot is only one acre, so a fountain would be too much. I had not considered putting in magnolias. My neighbor has used them heavily. I thought about crape myrtles. But, I love a dogwood too. We are definitely planning on using encore azaleas- possibly as the "centerpiece" on each side of the steps.

We get so much sun on the porch, I haven't had much success with plantars. My first year I cooked my ferns pretty quickly. I also considered wood benches on each side of the door on the porch.

That is helpful feedback. I put a large fountain in the mock up but you could do a more “natural” waterfall water feature to take advantage of your property topography. I don’t think dogwood is going to do well on that front exposure. It is an under planting tree so it would be too hot for it without having big tree to place it under. A Red Bud might work. If the house provides some shade it can do ok. I had Two Red Buds in the yard of my last house. One in the side yard on west side but under two big trees and one in backyard on west side with no extra shade initially. Both did well. We are in community south of Houston tx. We did live in Marietta, GA for 6 years so I kind of know what works there. Truthfully, I never had luck with Azaleas. Don’t know why. So lots of fun options.

If it matters - sounds like you are saying you don't want it anyway - although repeatedly depicted as a "dwarf" growing 20' tall I've seen the 'Little Gem' twice that height in the Los Angeles area. And I read the Magnolia Society account when it was newly published of the original seedling upon which the cultivar was based - it was a tall narrow plant.

Agree with floral_uk a natural fountain would be odd with your home unless carefully designed. I see you probably just want to replace your former landscape with new plants. I just am hoping you get a bit more creative. I have had Little Gem Magnolias in our last 4 homes. They are beautiful and do get tall. Which is why I stated making sure to place far enough away from house to allow room for growth. Another tip, don’t limb them up. They will not grow new growth low and will become top heavy. Make sure any yard people who help you with trimming and maintenance know this clearly.

I love red bud trees! I grew up in VA and they are everywhere, I am going to reconsider the small magnolia. Also, still thinking of a crape myrtle. I will not do the dogwood, because they would be stand alone in the sun.

My goal is to update the front of our home. I want to add some type of blooming element. I am not likely to plant annuals. I am not a fan of water features, other than maintaining our pool in the back yard. My likes are everywhere - i have even looked at palm trees. I like a reliable boxwood too.

Yardvaak - maybe I can get some more photos today. It looks like the rain has stopped!

I appreciate the feedback, so very much.

I ran out and grabbed these shots. We have magnolias on one side of the driveway, and the neighbor on the opposite side has two in their front yard. I hope these shots can add a little perspective.

Crepe Myrtle would be nice on left front or between properties since space is tighter. White ones would show beautifully against your brick. Use variegated varieties to add interest but low maintenance. The eye sees white first and with your distance from the street, white azaleas and variegated plants mixed in with your evergreens will suit your home beautifully. I use Silver Carpet Lamb’s Ear in my courtyard which is super hot in summer. It winters over and I just keep it pinched back to keep it low. A nice light color to mix with darker greens.

"I hope these shots can add a little perspective." Unfortunately, the photos are from a variety of camera angles/viewpoints, so are not useful in helping to comprehend a total space, nor for giving visual feedback to you. To take photos that a designer could use, you'd need to follow the instructions that I outlined in my earlier comment.

As I look at these photos, you might play with creating two beds down the yard flanking the front door view and add trees to your front yard. That would break up the big expanse and add interest to yard. I will play with some looks for you. bbl

A photo taken from street looking at front door would help a lot. No panoramic. Just straight on picture.

Something along these lines. A Drummond Maple would be pretty fast growing and add fall color. It is deciduous so drops leaves in late fall. Very pretty tree. I have planted these in two homes I. Greater Houston area in full sun and the grew rapidly and looked great. Of course you could always do a live oak but they are slower growing.