If we are going to start to get critical of placement of individual specimens...that's a never ending road of murkiness that is going to create a boat load of hard feelings. There is no "right" or "wrong", there is what you would do or not do, and if it's what you would not do, since you are a smart, intelligent individual of incredible good taste and impeccable discernment, then all other options must be from surly, irascible characters of low moral fiber with unibrows and knuckles that drag on the pavement. ??? As far as a practical matter in answering the question at hand, you've got very little room, as pointed out by others. The cloistered corner is going to help you in that it offers protection, but there's very little space to provide anchoring points. You could drive stakes vertical and tie off to those, but you are going to have to drive those puppies in. Regardless, trying to get the roots re-established is going to be a long term proposition. For a couple of different reasons, I'd consider moving the tree. Second, you've got a weeping evergreen of some kind leaning over the walkway from the other side of the door. Since most needle conifers are notoriously tolerant of shade (hardly), this may be an opportunity in disguise. What's the shrub you are apparently trying to espallier against the wall? You've got a lot going on in a small space. There's nothing wrong with that. Trying to do the remedial work of staking and re-establishing this guy is going to take a while. And while you obviously have a lot of affection for what you have, considering this is a front entrance, I'd at the least consider moving/removal and beginning anew.

Squirrelheaven- Could I ask one more favor? We would love to see the caramel color one (the last one that we loved) with the arch and columns done in the house body color. We are not sure how much more it will cost us to have the painters paint it a different color since it is stucco too. I need to see if I love the arch and columns in the trim color enough to pay extra for it! As far as the garage doors go...Well, I could see how much a kidney is going for on the black market to be able to afford those garage doors! On the other hand I am awfully fond of my kidneys so I think that I will stick with the doors and trim painted the house color. On a happy note, I talked DH into thinning out that tree today and while I still don't like it, it is infinitely better than before. A lot of the tree was dead and some had some bizarre looking mold on it so maybe it will die and then I can get what I want! I love the black trellises Squirrel added and am dying to try something like that. Newhomebuilder- It is not synthetic stucco and the painters will be using elastomeric paint. Thanks all for the nice compliments on our home and the input. I really don't know what I did before I found this site!! Chris

Hi Richard, I'll talk about our process first, After 17 years and raising kids, we did a major remodel, changing the layout of our house. It involved not one, but two architects as well as a landscape architect! The first architect just wasn't a good fit. After the schematics, we went looking for a new person, which turned out to be a good idea. That was the first lesson --just because someone has worked out for a good friend, doesn't mean they'll be the right fit for you! I was out some $$ but it was better to shift than to keep going with someone that I wouldn't have been happy with and spend $$$$$$. The landscape architect was brought in because the newly opened up floor plan called for the extension of a really wide porch with equally wide steps going down. And from there, we realized it would be much much easier if we were to do as much concrete work as possible when the guys would already be there, so we also had them add some walkways and a pad of concrete along with a new fire pit in the backyard. Our builder was an important resource as well, full off good ideas that saved us money and time. We interviewed several before choosing one. It was important to us that the company had a money manager who managed all the finances of the job, and that this part of the job was organized. I've seen way too many builders who were poor at money management, fail to complete jobs. We also had a timeline --which alas, we overshot due to several unforeseen complications. But overall, everything has been handled well. Once we had all agreed on 'the plans,' both sets (architectural and landscape) were sent to structural engineers, and from there to the city for the final stamps of approval. From our first inkling that we wanted to do this to the day the first sledge hammer was raised was at a least two year process. You could do it faster, but other stuff came up. Besides the longer timeline gave us a chance to figure out how we were going to finance all of this! This is a layout from when the mother was shackled to the kitchen doing all the cooking and the family was "lounging" or whatever. Today, the kitchen is the focal point, and I can see where you'll probably be moving not only walls, but plumbing, electrical, and possibly also having to put in a new header beam! As for the bathrooms --I like big bathrooms. I think it's the way to go --besides, if you think there's a chance you're going to grow old here, or older parents will move in, keep in mind accessibility (room for walkers, wheelchairs). Good luck! Take your time (but not necessarily 17 years!). Just live in it for awhile before you do anything. You'll figure out what you need over time.

They are getting opposite sunlight from what they need. Plus it is Summer and that starts watering issues that are complicated by afternoon sun. The leaves get those burnt marks in Picture 1. Then the leaves that need water start browning from the edges inwards and then the whole leaf is brown like in Picture 4. Plant them where they get morning sun only; dappled sun; or full but bright shade; no afternoon or evening sun. If you cannot move them now, provide afternoon shade with chairs or umbrellas or whatever and then transplant them when you can. Consistent watering will also help. They can handle reversed sunlight exposure only during cool days and nights in Spring and then they decline. But they are not going to die. They just need a new spot. If one is available now then transplant them now. Another alternative would be to re-pot them now and keep them potted until the new spot is ready. You can use the plastic pots in which they came. Just remember to water often while in the pots. Each watering should moisten the soil down to 8" or 20cm; use more water in the middle of Summer and less in Spring/Fall. You can prune browned outs stems, if any, at the end of May. Any stems that do not leaf out by then should be prune all the way down. I had a hydrangea even loose all leaves now and leaf out again in the Spring. No need to fertilize now. They probably had these round fertilizer pellets for fertilizer so feed them in Spring 2019 when they are not stressed by heat, water issues and afternoon sun. Good luck, Joe.