If the bed were mine I’d stop clipping the Correas into blobs. They’d grow into each other and bloom more profusely. The soil would be completely covered and there’d be no need for any bark, gravel or whatever. The juniper is fine imo, but then I don’t really get garden fashions, so ‘dated’ isn’t something that bothers me.

Landscape issue? I was too busy admiring your beautiful Golden Retriever!

I love topiaried plants!

Grasses (and any other kinds of herbaceous plants) throughout an entire planting area do not provide enough structure for a finished appearance to be produced.

@Embothrium Thanks Embothrium. What type of plants provide structure?...do you suggest a shrub? or succulent for structure?

@The Best Dressed House Thanks for the photo -it's lovely - a picture says 1,000 words doesn't it? Maybe some taller grasses? If I go with something that low, the white wall and the random window that's on that side of the facade may become more prominent.....?

@laurelcollins @The Best Dressed House @tozmo1 @Embothrium Any thoughts on the gravel? Should I remove it or add more? If I remove it and add mulch, am I creating a drainage nightmare? Thanks so much!

Evergreen woody plants have the most solid appearance followed by deciduous woody plants and then herbaceous (non woody) kinds. With this last group having the least substantial visual aspect. So that in the last picture the grasses aren't able to balance the boldness of the architecture at all. Particularly in the section at the middle rear, with the massive blocky wall being topped by nothing but some short and lightweight looking grass clumps.

The drainage pipe should continue out of the bed and onto the pavement. Or some other place where the water is discharged well away from the house. Instead of emptying near the house foundation. And periodically flooding the root zones of the shrubs.

I'm so glad the picture helped! Personally, I would not suggest plantings that overcrowd the area since you have two windows above it. There is not a lot of space from the planter bottom to the sill, so keep plantings height potential to around ~2'. If you are drawn to a clean & zen appearance, keep the plantings consistent thru the whole planter.

Grasses are available in many heights. If this is a direction you might like to go, I would suggest for your to search for ornamental grasses that thrive in your zone. Narrow down options by looking at desired height, color, & maintenance. Unfortunately, I would only be guessing if i was to advise on drainage considerations. Since you have had a previous problem of puddling, I would think that a top layer of gravel could help. Good luck !

How do grasses look in the winter in 10A? In my 7b they are cut almost to the ground in winter. If so, is there something you could add for winter (whaetver that is in FL) interest?

I believe the OP is located in CA.......if the correa is any indication. And there are many evergreen ornamental grasses that do not need to be cut back on any routine basis. Or evergreen grass look-alikes, if so desired.