Do you want to stay with them hosta theme? If so,why don't you get some variegated hostas, green and white? They would brighten up the area. I had Soloman's Seal in dappled shade and it looked really nice with the hostas. I would get rid of some of the violas, I know they look nice but a small patch would be all you need. After you get rid of them you can see what yhou have left to work with. Then decide if you want a straight edge or curved flowerbed. If you want it curved, use a garden hose to lay it out. Play with it to get the look you want. I would also put some shrub against the fence. I have golden elder which I love but there are lots of different kinds. Here's a picture of my golden elder. Hope this gives you some ideas. Marg

Thanks for the trip. Just the kind of thing that can keep me 'off the streets' all afternoon. (LOL) What an interesting man he is and he has made several folks put on their thinking caps and come up with some creative ideas. I'm familiar with drip systems (the only way to go for any gardening) and further along in the thread he advises to figure out a drip system before getting it going. Probably need separate timers too, if you are gone a lot. We have our whole yard and garden area on timers so we can be gone for weeks at a time (The weeds love that!).

Thanks everyone! Funny you mentioned mannequins! We'd thought about that but decided it would be too creepy! The rolling library ladder is a very cool idea, but our bed has to go on that wall. We'd thought about putting in an antique iron spiral staircase and then replace the shutters with a contemporary iron railing, but then we'd still have the useless space. It would be fun to put a really great piece of art up there. I wonder if suspending about 4 contemporary framed black and white photographs from the ceiling might "block" the view to the back shelves and then we could use the space for storage? Hmmm. Pinterest, here I come...

Not sure how narrow a space you are describing, but some upright trees for your area include: fastigiate hornbeam (Carpinus b. 'Frans Fontaine,') columnar 'Purple Spire' crabapple (Malus x 'Jefspire' ) or ornamental callery pear (Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'). If you want a conifer, blue arrow Juniper would also work.