Large stone planter area, what to plant?

We just removed some struggling junipers from this planter and are looking for suggestions on what to plant there? We want something that can survive the winter. The area is in full shade in morning and full Sun in afternoon.

How is the view from the street? or is it backyard? Wondering if you want something tall'ish with floral border, or something mounded-ish. I'd lean toward sun liking choices.

It's viewable from the street. Like the idea of moundish type plant.

I can see a lovely Physocarpus opulifolius Purple Ninebark there. It's a spreading, mounding shrub with purple foliage, white flowers, and eventually interesting bark on the oldest stems. Check hardiness zone, not sure about that. Deciduous. The stone color made me think of it, and the fact I just came across one on the net this morning. Might start with bulbs and annuals around the ring, but the shrub would eventually cover the area, I think.

Just one of many though. Consider the rest of the landscape and your own taste. Let's get some more ideas.

Not so sure of the height of that plant. I think we would like something that doesn't grow too tall. The planter is already 3 ft off the ground. Here's another shot of the planter with the lavender we planted this year and the other plant that survived the winter (beginner gardener, don't know all the names).

OK, I have a better sense of the size now. Yeah, too big.
I'm not sure how to handle the teardrop shape and a mix of plants. Maybe, peony or small hardy shrub in the center of the circle part, something creeping around the base, something spiky in the pointy area on left here...

Junipers are generally pretty tolerant of adversity - any idea why they were 'struggling'?

Al

Al,
Re: Junipers, lack of knowledge on our side. Maybe we needed to give them some fertilizer? We had a lot of dead growth and just didn't know how to prune it back. Wasn't my favorite plant, came with the house.

Definitely want sun plants there rather than shade plants (even "partial shade" plants may not be able to take afternoon sun, which is generally harsher than morning sun).

I'm thinking you want good-smelling plants there, too, maybe something you could use on the BBQ or in salads... I'd tend toward making it entirely into an herb garden...

You could use a sage plant for the center of the circle... they turn into nice bushes, especially if you pinch them back a few times. My favorite for culinary use is 'Berggarten', but for contrast with the light stone you might consider 'Tricolor'. The lavender might be the next tallest plant... you could leave it where it is and put 2 more spaced around the circle, or you could move it into the "point" of the planter, leaving space around the sage for oregano and thyme... see which ones you like... plant them alternately, tall (oregano & french thyme) and short plants, with creeping thymes (short) a little closer to the edge so they can cascade... Initially, you'll have plenty of room for basil in between the perennial herbs. Check out the purple-leafed basils for some fun contrast with the stone and a good color echo for a Tricolor sage.

Or you could put everbearing strawberries all along the edge, making sure to amend the soil with compost so they grow well... maybe a blueberry bush (a shorter variety) in the center, or put a tomato cage there with a sweet grape tomato or a cherry like 'Sun Sugar'...

I'm just thinking that next to your patio is a great place for plants that can be nibbled!

The problem with Junipers is that you have to buy the right one to fit the space. Pruning never works well as the inside of the Juniper is just twigs - all the green is on the outside. The minute you cut something off, you have a brown ugly hole.

I think in addition to the lavender you might put
Geranium x magnificum
Geranium 'Rozanne"
Geum Totally Tangerine"
Achillea 'Gold Plate'
They would all look well together. The magnificum blooms late spring/early summer, the Rozanne mid summer-fall.
The Achillea gets going as the Geum is done.

these should all be easy care and would do well with the lavender.

Here is a link to some photos of my magnificum and geum:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1362452/?hl=

'Rozanne' is an amazing geranium -- ever-blooming in my garden, in all sorts of conditions (wet summers, dry summers, summers when it's overgrown with weeds, LOL).