Garden at front entry

From upper left to bottom right:

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Firebird Canna
Recommended by others, this stalkish, large-leaf perennial with a bright flower on top adds some natural dimension to the otherwise austere rectilinear brick box. It's also interesting to have the flower and nothing but the flower visible from inside the room -- and from the front entry over the side wall.

Canna x generalis 'Firebird'
Dwarf Red Canna Lily
Semi-evergreen tuberous rooted perennial. Tall, clumping growth to 2-4 feet in height; forms a large clump with time. Large clusters of very showy, fiery crimson to red-orange flowers in summer. Large, rich green foliage. Plant in full sun. Water regularly through the growing season. Remove individual flowers as they fade. Cut stalks to the ground after bloom. Foliage is good in cut flower arrangements. Good container plant. From East Bay Nursery, $24.95 pot size #2.

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White Trailing Lantana
I got it for the white flowers, but studied it more only after planting 60 of them. If it "trails" forward into the driveway I'll just have to cut it back. The best thing is that it won't reach the underside of the bow window. I'm told it's very easy to grow. That's important for me.

Lantana montevidensis
A flowering perennial; can reach 12-15" tall with a 3-6 foot spread, making it a nice groundcover. The blooms are pure white and appear in masses from spring to fall, and are great for attracting butterflies. In warmer areas White Trailing Lantana is an evergreen and the foliage will change to a red-purple color in the colder months. The foliage is very aromatic and can irritate the skin of some people. Tough, resilient plant that thrive in hot weather and bloom profusely from spring until frost. Hardy lantanas will typically show no growth in the spring until soil and air temperatures are quite warm. Prune lantana periodically during summer by lightly shearing the tip growth to encourage repeat blooming.From Home Depot, $2.36 per six-pack.

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Tasman Flax Lily
Its grass-like verticality will hopefully contrast nicely with the horizontal facade. I wouldn't mind if it grew taller than the brick veneer background. This plant was the whitest green I could find -- important to stand out from the red brick, I think. And blue flowers! Red, white and blue flowers... whaddaya know.

Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'
Variegated Dianella
An evergreen perennial. Mounded to upright growth to 3 feet in height with an equal spread. Grass-like category; Phormium family; Australia origin. Loosely branched clusters of dark blue flowers bloom through the summer and are followed by bright blue berries. Very long, thin, bright green leaves with thick white margins grow to 2-3 feet in length. Plant in full sun to light shade on coast, shade inland. Tolerates most any soil. Best with regular water; does well with little summer water when established. Dig and divide clump every second or third year to rejuvenate growth; fertilize lightly in spring. Hardy to about 20-25 degrees F. From East Bay Nursery, $15.95 in pot size #1.