MaggieR

you seem to have asiatic lilies and iris already, which are both wonderful, so you could probably expand to experiment with other lily types. I would add grasses, of course, as these would be great in this location. Other suggestions would be solidago, hardy hibiscus, yucca, daylilies, amsonia,and montbretia. Consider shrubs such as rugosa roses and cotoneaster. maybe a dwarf crape myrtle?

gorgeous Jan...your gardens always make one want to visit and linger there

Have you had an arborist out to look at this tree? That would be my first suggestion. Those dead branches are an invitation to disease and bugs, not to mention coming down in a storm. Have a tree expert remove them and advise about the general health of the tree. It also seems to be leaning a bit...is that just an optical illusion from this photo? Conifers do not always fill back in once those limbs are damaged. If you need to take it down in the near future, you could plant something fast growing on either side, like white pines or Leyland cypress, so that when the big tree comes down something is started in its place. In addition, consider some smaller shrubs mixed in, such as viburnum or aronia, to make this whole area a bird-friendly hedgerow habitat. Best of luck

There is nothing so thrilling as a blank space! wow...the hard part is editing. Soooo tempting to want to do everything! I think, although I love all of the options that Anne above mentions, I would encourage keeping things a bit lower than the Vanderwolf pine. But definitely find a range of things that give you year long interest. Perhaps a true dwarf mugo pine anchors your corners? A maple, on the far side of the fence, would be a great focal point and has wonderful architectural interest in the winter. I would also look at ilex verticillata for that area as well, or even a red twig dogwood...the low slanting winter sun really makes those berries and branches pop. Carex makes a great edging, and can often be nearly evergreen. Teucrium is another evergreen that can add interest to the edge but still hang on all year. Good luck and have fun!

Hi
What a lovely path! I can see where you might want a focal point. You have that great stone wall? column? at the far end, I think if I added something I would add it there, making use of the wall as a backdrop. A glazed pot in front of it, that held a small evergreen, for instance. The other thing I would do is define the right edge of the path a bit more, in order to lead your eye to the focal point. Perhaps a grouping of carex, or teucrium, or sweet box...something that made that far end of the path edge a little crisper.