why not make it an extension of the front porch and a patio area with large planters to add some contrast here. and then extend the flower bed from the right to the front side of the side walk.

I love the patio idea... Another option would be a crepe myrtle planted in the middle trimmed up into a tree (as opposed to murdered every spring to stay 5' tall...), you could underplant with ferns or something that stays low.

Some options

The patio idea would be really nice

I built a courtyard with a metal arbor arch entrance from the front sidewalk. I used iron railing, tiered planters, firepit, and seating areas.

@RL Relocation LLC we've gone back and forth on making a seating area there but we would never use it. We have a 3-car side garage and so we're always over there with the kids going up and down the driveway.

@HALLETT & Co. how would you lay out the lower plants? I do think a small tree of some sort in the middle would be nice in between the windows but not sure what to do about the rest of the area.

@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images that looks amazing! I was trying to avoid grass there so we didn't have to maneuver in there with the riding mower but that looks so good and makes sense visually. Thanks.

@plattsbecp that probably looks so good, do you have photos? I don't want to block those windows though as they are the kitchen windows that look out to the front yard.

Ok, no grass, just do it more inviting with some planters, mulch and stones with chairs

@itsourcasa, I wish I had a picture for you, this was in a previous home. You do not need to block your view - I installed my patio flooring (concrete for me) near the house and the tiered landscaping towards the street. I used a winding sidewalk with another arbor at the exit of the patio to my side yard, but for you, I would put the exit near your garage. It was a wonderful spot to drink wine and visit with neighbors.

@plattsbecp ah ok I see what you're saying now!!! Thanks for the idea!

@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images thank you again!!! I do like that little stone area in the middle with the chairs and all mulch and rocks around it with landscaping, something to think about.

@Soothing Company thanks, those are cool, but not looking to add more water here in south FL. haha

I like this idea

you don't have to do the grass. you could do something like this black pebble rock as the base (or that light gray) and do a little seating area

you could buy the 24x24 cement squares, do the gravel in between, or you can pour your own in a larger size.

put a tall, colorful pot w/a bougainvillea between the two windows

maybe do more of mid century vibe w/the slat wood, low fence, and have a small courtyard inside of it.

inside of it, lay down gravel, some pavers, do a lot of greenery. bamboo in pots for some height.

you could also do a little raised deck

or, just do some plantings you like

I can see the space as an herb garden or mini vegetable garden. You could get a couple of rain barrels to catch roof runoff. It could also be a native plant garden for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. dwarf citrus orchard in planters?

Lisa Port, APLD · More Info

You did not like what I had to say last time. Hopefully you will like this better.

You don't seem to be wanting a patio or courtyard sitting space and have said you don't want to block the kitchen windows. Think of your rectangle as a picture frame instead. Now let's draw something inside the frame. Something Zen, calm and simple would be nice. Beth H. had some good examples.

Find a piece of art, a sculpture, some large garden tchotchke, a fun piece of junk, something you would enjoy to be your focal point in the picture. Plant a drift of native Florida Coontie, Zamia integrifolia in a groundcover of Mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus. Add in a big sack of Rain Lily, Zephyranthes bulbs. The big pale pink ones are my favorite.

You now have a simple, no maintenance, calming front entrance that will surprise you with small pink tulip like flowers on and off through the year.

@Christopher CNC what do you mean I didn't like what you had to say last time? My post a few months ago (impressed you remembered!) was up for a short time and deleted before I saw any comments...

@Beth H. : thanks I like that first picture! And now I definitely want to add in pebbles/rock just have to figure out a design and if we do a large potted tree in the middle how to incorporate that. We have thrown out the idea of seating there completely.

@ocotillaks it's the front of the house so I'm not sure I want to add a garden there plus we have some fruits and veggies growing in the back already. But maybe a lemon tree or two there...

@itsourcasa because it was deleted after I left a comment, so I thought you were not liking the critique I gave of the already done plantings in front and in this post you did not show the new plantings which is a generally good idea so there is some continuity in the design as a whole.

@Christopher CNC oh I did not see it!! What were your critiques? There is a photo of the whole front of the house above... Also, several of the plants died so we are getting a credit and are replacing a lot of it.

I'm just gonna stick with the planting design I offered above for now. A band of pebbles/rock would work well with the Art/Zamia/Mondo/Rain Lily idea.

Ok... thanks.

that came out amazing.

I like it.