OK friends, here's my next challenge. My friend left the design of his "Up North" house to his son, and hates the results. Too stark, too modern, too institutional. Think crackerbox on end with clerestory windows; high two-story in front w/large deck; three-story in back w/walk-out basement; grey siding. I'm thinking Mediterranean accents to soften the lines--tall, skinny evergreens, some topiaries on the deck. He's already planted some variegated dogwood (red-twig) in front of the deck. He's pretty much tapped out, financially, so additional ornamentation on the house is out. Oh, yeah, and this is the house with the mostly sand soil and mound-type septic system, (in the front yard, of course). I know there are blue "Skyrocket" junipers, is there a tall, narrow gold or gold-tipped form? He's also planted a lovely hemlock--how fast and wxh do they grow? We're putting in a Japanese-style stone garden in a spot between the back entry stairs and foundation wall; but the rest of the sparsely grassy area would need some interest. I'm trying to keep him from planting anything now, as summer has finally arrived and he's not there full-time to baby anything. Oh, zone 4; Great Lake exposure (the view is grreaatt!) No tall order here, eh? There're more problems to solve, but the ones listed above are my stumpers. Appreciate any suggestions, after you folks are too tired, sore, etc., from your own gardens...
Happy Gardening!