The Chinese privet is gone now and the garage wall is a blank expanse that needs something against it. I like the open feel and the fact that the blue door is no longer crowded. The redbud can grow into something in its open space now.
But the corner right by the door needs something. So I stuck the little square mesh patio table there, put some pots on it, and it's . . . something. Some structure at least. I actually like the way it looks and the black metal picks up the black accent of the patio furniture.
Keep in mind there will be greenery, the growing crabapple and other things to look at down the yard.
Another problem is presenting now that the area is so opened up. The tilted juniper by the door looks silly. It lives in absolutely no soil whatsoever, just four inches around its stem.
The garage, driveway beyond the gate, patio stones and slab stoop are all impermeable and there is not a spot anywhere near this tree that gets water. I do not know how it lives. Junipers like dry conditions, but this is extreme.
It's so structured and stiff and provides no shade or garden interest. It hides the wall sconce light.
But it does provide screening from the driveway. As you come up the drive and approach the gate, you'd see straight into the back yard over the gate if that bulky tall thing wasn't there.
I guess I'll keep it. Nothing else tall, evergreen and screening could be planted in the few inches available there.
Not as tall, but enough to rise above the fence but not hide the wall sconce. Not sure I can find anything suitable and that seems like a lot of trouble.