FINALLY getting around to planting behind the house

I've spent most of the past few years working on 'large' projects like fencing the back yard and building the chicken coop. This year I am having someone re-do the back porch and I want to finally get around to planting that whole area along the back of the house.
I don't remember who posted this LOVELY picture of their backyard - but this is my inspiration.


And this is what I'm working with


I've already got 3 rose of sharron under the smaller window. There is a 'goat's beard' at the corner that will screen the utility box. Elephant ears go back out soon to grow up around the heatpump, and all the ground cover that I planted around the bottom of the big oak is taking hold. I've got a few azelias that have been barely hanging on in a wooded area that I want to move. The new porch will be a little larger and will have steps going into the yard instead of hugging the house.
Oh - and a gutter with 2 rain barrels so that whole area will stop being pounded everytime we have a good rain.

So - if that beautiful back yard is yours - WHAT are the plants in there?
And does anyone have any suggestions?

I am pleased that you like it, but that's the front of my house -- front/east bed to be precise. The house faces north. Here is the front door, new planter, and front/west bed as well.

While there are different plants in each side, the two beds echo colors for an overall pleasing (I think) look. Both sides were cleaned and pruned so they don't look so much like your photo right now, but soon. . .

Along the back of the bed are Brownii yews. The East bed is much older than the West and the yews show that difference best. East of the brick planter is a Blue Angel hosta.
Along the driveway are 3 barberries, put their for the red leaf. Hard to see here is a "weeping Cyprus" of unknown variety that ...er...um...slipped into my pocket in front of the local hospital and followed me home. Next is one of two Hakuro-nishiki willows on either side of a Japanese red maple -- a finely cut-leaf variety that was on sale for less than $20 at the time.

In the front corner are three Magic Carpet spirea, a Diablo ninebark, and several varieties of day lilies arcing the double burr oak. Surrounding the oak(s) are the hostas -- green with white centers -- that circle all the oaks in my front yard. Makes mowing around the trees so much easier.

There is a trio of Purple Palace heuchra that echos the reds of the barberry and maple. And finally there is a Raspberry Parfait hydrangea in front of the planter at the door that is filled with begonias in the summer. No longer there is the light-ish, rounded shrub -- a sweet smelling daphine, Carol Mackey.

To the right (west) of the door is a PeeWee hydrangea, a Black Prince weigelia, several tall grasses with green/white stems, a Black Lace elderberry (echoing the maple color), another trio of the spirea and another ninebark called Coppertina. The much smaller Brownii yews line the back bricks.

My back yard -- now THAT is a sight!

Canesisters, you have such a wonderful palette to work with. Actually the back of my house is largely unplanted. It is my back yard that is my prized shade garden. One of my goals is to get some perennials growing in the unplanted area. What direction does the back of your house face? There are so many choices that depend upon the play of sun and shade.

While we put the Japanese maple where we wanted it, I found out later that it was the ideal spot for such a maple here in zone 5. Being on the north side where the soil is slow to thaw has proven ideal, keeping the tree from leafing out early enough to get frost damage and keeping the soil safe from the freeze and thaw that occurs in sunnier locations.

My special love is shade plantings, but many of these plants need plenty of sun in the summer. It is only close to the house that the space gets no sun at all. What you already have, what you like, and what grows in your area are the best things to start with. Anything I can do to help, just let me know.

Bigger porch? Great! What about brick patio circles linked together with winding trails? I see a bed full of daffodils and narcissus around the trees on the left for spring color. Will the outdoor furniture go on the bigger porch? Have you considered a herb garden? Sounds like lots of fun!

Those Black Lace elderberries (sambucus) are on sale at www.jungseed.com today. How do I know? I just bought one. I've had my eye on those for awhile now. The foliage is amazing, plus you get lacy, pink blooms too.

WOW Red! Thanks for all the info!!
I'm hoping to eventually plant the whole area from the porch to the oak tree and on around to the side porch (one day....).
I just put in an assortment of ground covers around the oak tree (creeping juniper, creeping jenny, forget me nots, vinka(?), and a couple of other things I can't remember). Since that whole (large) area is dry, rocky clay there has only been JUST enough grass there to make me run the mower over it. I'm hoping that once these take hold they will spread and either camoflodge the sparce grass or smother it.
I counted the pitiful, stunted azilias in the woods and there are 13 of them. I moved 2 yesterday to go near the corner of the house - between the tree and the goat's beard.
I have to do this in stages that depend on being able to move the underground fence first. Once I dig up the grass and add some good dirt, the dogs will be ALL OVER IT if I don't protect it first. Right now the fence has been extended from the corner and around the base of the oak. Next I'll widen the loop to include the heatpump. I can't go much closer to the porch until it gets re-done. Otherwise the dogs won't be able to come down the steps without hitting the 'forbiden zone'.
The local 'handy-man' will be by Saturday to take measurements and get me an estimate on the new porch. I WISH I could go big enough to put furniture on it. I'm hoping to be able to afford to 'mimic' the side porch - little landing, 2 steps, mini deck, 2 more steps - but we'll see.

Red, the house faces east - so this yard gets the afternoon sun. Near the house there are a few oaks so the light is not blistering-ly direct.

Bay, I am planning some giant stepping stones to sort of wander from one porch to the other. I'm going to use a section of plastic barrel as a from and have folks come decorate them. My sister will do one, my best friend gets one, the Cracked Pots can do one when we meet on a Monday evening, etc. I wish I could send one around for all yall to do.

Oh my gosh Journey - a new place to shop for plants......... :-D

Cane do you want some Lily of the valley? It is a great ground cover for shade, gets a white flower that will scent a whole room. can send you some, it spreads very fast.

Oh that would be very nice. I don't know very much about it though. The picts I can find online are almost all close-ups of the flowers. The few I can find of the plant look like it grows like hosta - low and leafy. Does it grow in clumps (easy to move and spread) or just sort of creep along all over? I think it might be a really nice addition near the porches (edges of the bed).
Thanks!!!

Grows in clumps very easy to move, very low with small flower stem with bell shaped flowers, heavy fragrance. Friend of mine used to work in a upscale flower shop in NYC, they would sell 5 stems of flowers for $25 always sell out. People would put them in their bathsrooms. They are one of the few flowers that can take dry shade. In another week they should be up and I will send you some.