I think holleygarden is on the right track with butterflies in mind. Another easy salvia for California gardens is Mexican sage, Salvia leucantha. And Salvia chiapensis would be very pretty next to the dark shrub on the right; it has very bright green upright foliage and deep pink flowers. The salvias would probably be full enough that you wouldn't have much need for the ice plant there. If you want colorful iceplant, why not use the bare swath next to the sidewalk? You could select a few of the finer-textured kinds that are blooming pink and purple right now, and intersperse a few islands of large rosette succulents grouped together to create interest when the iceplant is not in bloom, maybe use some large rocks to help shape the groups.

I am thankful for any and all suggestions! I appreciate all views. The new door is an insulated steel door by Waudena, out of Wisconsin. I do open the casements windows on either side of the front window, but if the door is open I can see my Purple Martin colony and part of the garden from the kitchen. I live in North Dakota with -20 to -40 temps common in the winter, howling winds, banking snow, and all sorts of lovely weather. A storm door is a necessary evil. Still, in the brief but bright summer, I'd love to have a "view."

I am kicking myself for not having posted before starting; we could have left the soil in place for the first two feet or so closest to the house. All that wasted work... We are not against widening the area. Some initial thoughts are that it makes for a longer walkway and less grass. If I come from the garage and head to the front door, I'll have to walk further down the driveway to get to the walkway. Certainly not a big deal, rather one of convenience and habit. Also, there's a definite slope in the front yard. From the current front of the 'bed', out 16', there's a 20-24" drop. I wonder if with the wider bed, and a wider walkway, whether the whole area up top should be level, with perhaps some terracing and/or a rock wall farther down (say at around the 16' mark). The foundation shrubs flanking the garage doors are definitely going. My thought is to replace them with some large planters. Annie - Thanks very much for the input. Good suggestions about the walkway, 2' space, crushed rock and talking to a local nursery or landscaping company. (The more we think about this, the better it will be). tibbrix - Your idea of grasses pleased me. We have some in the back, where we some established beds. Now is there a grasses forum...?! OutsidePlaying - Did you have to look up the spelling of chamaecyparis?! I had never heard of either those or cryptomerias before, thank you for the ideas and detailed response. I think the bed you're talking about would be larger (perhaps more like 6 feet?). Good point about two people walking together. Contractor will be DH (remember, he has the new toy...). may_flowers - I take your point about final size. Thanks for the suggestion of the Conifer forum. Flat top haircut:) The idea of a flagstone patio interests me (see above comment about leveling the top area). amck2 - True! Hence, no gravel walkways - snowblower needs to get through. sprtphntc - good point about native plants, I will spend some time on the website you linked. emmarene - The trench ends at the front door. I will be the gardener. All the plants (except the daylillies) in the containers you see, I grew from seed this year in the greenhouse:) chickadee2 - we've been here for 17 years. Yes, lots of problems with deer but I go around and spray Deer Off regularly, which keeps them away for a good 3 weeks or so each time. Thank you for the list!!

In which part of the world are you located (country/nearest large city)? Landscaping the exterior would give you dimension to your home.