"I am considering some sort of dwarf flowering tree." I agree that a small tree in the front right corner of the pictured lawn would look nice; maybe something like a flowering cherry or a dogwood. IMO the front left could be enhanced by a large rounded white flowering spirea or other shrub. Forsythia will grow more rapidly but can become ungainly unless skillfully chosen as to size and pruned correctly, whereas the spirea will grow move slowly and look good without pruning. A large sun tolerant rhododendron would also look nice, but there are many medium sized flowering shrubs to choose from. The viburnum family has many attractive shrubs and their wood is strong enough to sustain a central landscaping role, but you would want one that would not just grow vertically. (Some of the larger viburnums could even take the place of a small tree). A wedding spirea has a nice rounded shape and their wood is also fairly strong, although the stems are finer. Oak leaf hydrangeas are very attractive and will grow to a good size, but they like more moisture and shade. Additionally, as with all hydrangeas, their wood is very fragile and they will not stand up to much punishment. I like the bench idea, and have found a bench near the entryway to my own home to be very useful for such things as temporary placement of items going into or out of the house. A little white bistro table and pair of chairs on a tiny patio there might serve the same purpose and be a nice place to have some morning tea...and a bench under the proposed tree would also be nice. A fountain is always a nice addition, and there are even small floating water pumps now with built in solar power. That would be nice on the inner edge of your patio, and the previously mentioned front shrub would give you a bit of privacy and a place for birds to perch. The most important thing is planting to suit how you want to use this space, so it will be convenient, comfortable, private, and shady enough to enjoy. Right now you also have enough sun for a lovely herb garden in a little raised bed, maybe even in a peanut shape, or you could include a few pots of herbs to edge your patio. Potted plants can have more immediate impact than plants in the ground because the pots elevate them, making them more noticeable, and fragrant herbs are very pleasant and more accessible than those in the ground. Pineapple sage gets quite large in the course of a summer but is not winter hardy in temperate zones. Colored or white pots will stand out better; and in general light colored flowers will also be more noticeable than dark ones. I suggest white bistro table and chairs and white bench because they, too, will stand out and contrast nicely with the color of your home, IMO. Enjoy your new outdoor space!

A couple of notes: - You don’t actually want to plant as densely or as close to the walk as in Doug’s sketch or in three years you will need to do a lot of pruning and in 5 or 8 you will be ripping out plants and starting all over again with many of them. Add large pots or a birdbath or art or annuals while you wait for some of your woody plants to put on size. - Whatever you plant needs to be sized appropriately for it ultimate growth. Plant tags often give plant sizes at an unrealistic 5 years, so be sure to look up on a reputable website such as the Missouri Botanic Garden’s Plantfinder to find the actual expected size. - You have a big overhang that creates a rain shadow that will always be dry without irrigation. Be sure to plan on irrigation for anything within that rain shadow. Regardless, don’t plant anything so close that it will grow to within a foot or so of the house. - Wider steps are great to make a welcoming entry. - Notice in both sketches that the plants in front of the windows are lower with taller plants framing it or placed further down the slope to not block the windows. - Plan to have some of your plants evergreen for a winter presence and some with either colored foliage or flowers for interest. - Sod or hydro seed the lawn at the appropriate time of year for your area which may be now.

It is a slow growing very small shrub. I love that it turns a greenish blue in winter and brighter green in summer, I also like its visual contras, it reminds me of yews. If spring was a longer season I believe these violas would extend the bed out themselves, When I plant Summer annuals I will extend the bed out some. I’m not to upset about potentially changing out the gardenias. I don’t seem to have much luck with them. I will look into other native plants. I still need to plant a tree on the side and continue to mulch.

my first thought is that tree surrounded by concrete? I love trees but that is going to grow roots and be so close to the house. Might want to remove that. What about a retaining wall on the slop side? I would get rid of the concrete, and plant grass along the slope. Perhaps a simple lawn with some raised planters