Yes. You do. Wish everyone would show up here with a base plan as it would make giving clear feedback much easier. My picture alludes to their being larger trees farther out from the house, as in street trees. Some of these may already exist, but if not, they could be useful for the overall picture you're creating.

JWillimas i love the Italian gardens. What I was saying is that in that particular link, they were very grandiose. This is not 'germane' to the average homeowner, even if they do have columns in front of their homes! someone who doesn't have any vision or any idea on garden design is going to look at those in complete bewilderment. My point was, make it germane to the normal homeowner looking for some curb appeal. no need to get your drawers in knot, I was polite when I said it. There was absolutely no judgement on you. Now, in comparison, look at DigDougs rendition. This is relevant and something the homeowner can actually relate to. Not the Tivoli Gardens. I get where you're coming from, but the execution from your end is lacking. Make it applicable for them, not you. Doug took design elements from those grandiose gardens in your links, and showed the home owner how to apply them to suit their yard. Much better, yes? but thanks for posting actual pictures instead of links. I don't need wikipedia links for columns, mkay?

With the redbud there and your preference for minimal planting you don't need an additional tree. Otherwise apart from their current size the main issue with the existing shrubs is that they have been formally sheared to all have generally the same size and shape, more or less. And since over around the garage an exposed foundation isn't visible you may not need to have any shrubs in front of the left part of the house at all. Due to the implication being that the foundation is not exposed there either. Maybe it would even be to your taste to have a bed of shrubs around the redbud and nothing but lawn and paving around the house.

When to prune a hydrangea depends on the species and whether it blooms on new wood or old wood. Here is one ARTICLE. If you pruned the first year at the wrong time, they might not bloom the second year. Hydrangeas are said to live up to 50 years if properly cared for. If they don't bloom this year, you should check with a local nursery on what could be wrong.