This is not speaking yet to specific plants, but to a concept of arranging. It would be good to pick plants that can easily be kept below window heights. (Gumpo azaleas, cast iron plant, daylilies, certain Hydrangeas, etc.) Need a low groundcover, too. Any type already growing in the neighborhood?

I love the concept. The area is actually pretty shaded with only a few hours of sun in the morning. I was thinking some gardenia's? I have regular azaleas elsewhere but was unfamiliar with the gumpo variety. I have a fair amount of liatrope that needs to be thinned so I was planning to use that as some ground cover. Any other suggestions? Thanks!!!

I have a fair amount of liatrope that needs to be thinned so I was planning to use that as some ground cover

Do you mean liriope? That could go under the tree - if a big green pancake is really what you want in that spot.

Otherwise based on the now many representations - all with the same basic elements - that have been presented on this forum Y. apparently likes herbaceous perennials at building corners and woody shrubs under windows. Ones that are planted directly in front of the windows - instead of between them - and come right up to the bottom of the windows, will have to be barbered all the time to keep them below the glass.

This is the opposite of what I would do - short plants with no bulk to them should be in the center parts and taller ones with some meat on them at the corners, to frame the planting. And not be where they can grow up in front of windows.

I also wouldn't cut the bottom half off of treelike shrubs so that they look like there is a Hellish deer infestation present.

Yes Liriope is what I mean, honestly I wasn't planning for anything under the tree at this point but some fresh mulch, but that may change as I get going!

I would not call liriope flat (as a pancake) as some of it can get 2' or more tall, depending on the variety one uses. With its rounded shoulders, full in a bed, it presents more like a stuffed cushion.

Embothrium, my most vocal critic, says that he would do pretty much the opposite as whatever it is that I do (apparently at all times as he is compelled to bring this up ad infinitum.) The easiest and most obvious way for anyone to judge whether they like his, or my scheme better, is if he would at some time show his ideas in a graphic format. This could be a drawing like I do, or it could be a photo of any real-life example. But he seems never to want or allow this comparison to be made.

As a firm believer in low maintenance landscapes, I think it is imperative that one chooses plants to physically fit the situation. If that situation happens to be in front of a window, then choose a plant that either has a 3' or 4' height limit to its growth, or that is slow enough in growth that it is easy to keep at that size. I can't think of a simpler way to think about solving that problem. Another advantage to coordinating shrubs with windows is that it eliminates the need to smother the entire house front in vegetation, as seems to be the defacto American residential landscape standard. If security is an issue, plants in front of windows, possibly with thorns, prevent their immediate access by undesirables.

Hopefully, some day, instead of just speaking about it in a self-righteous tone, Embothrium will actually show us how much better his strategies are.

Deer don’t eat alliums