Maybe I could get your advice on this one thing? I have a pic of this one problem area. It shows how close these saucer magnolias are to my back deck. I wouldn't have planted them, but they're here and they do provide privacy and shade, as well as stunning pink (spring) flowers and yellow fall color that contrasts well with a crimson Norway maple in the backyard. So they're staying.
The Rose-of-Sharon shrub in the center of the two trees is being replaced by a variegated red-twigged dogwood. Both shrubs are essentially vase-shaped, so will look similar, (I hope), but I'll have the contrasting foliage and red stems in winter.
I have plans to add two or three small round evergreen inkberry hollies, some cotoneasters to drape over the bricks and to train euonymus up the wall. Should I use a variegated cultivar? I can use help with placement of these, maybe using some of the larger rocks as well? thanks.
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/campus/vermont/6/4/4.jpg
http://www.cayugalandscape.com/gardencenter/groundcovers/euonymusfortunei.jpg
http://www.springmeadownursery.com/images/Ilex%20glabra%20Shamrock%20Ldsp.jpg
http://trees.stanford.edu/images/Cotoneaster/lasuen.jpg
