Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Spring is in the Air and the Dirt , 1 by happy_macomb

happy_macomb wrote:
Now if you really take pity on me, tell me what to do with this. This is in front of what used to be the garage, and was converted some time ago into a family room. (Needs paint, I know . . . .) There is a narrow area in front of it where we could put plants in, but I've never figured out what. I'd like something that comes up to the window, but not over it. There is no direct son at all -- when the trees leaf out, it is almost dark. And there is hardly any room for plants (there is driveway pavement almost to the planting area, which is maybe 2' deep -- I didn't measure.) I was thinking of building up the rim of the bed a little bit. I'll have to completely replace the dirt in the bed, which is awful and full of bits of construction material.

Maybe Nandina? I'd like to put Camelias on either side, but that is probably folly. Perennials are probably not right for here since the area would look barren all winter. But I'm really at a loss, and it is such an eyesore.