Looking at the overall picture of your house I envisioned an arbor at the opening in the fence on the right. I planted a trumpet honeysuckle vine (Lonicera sempervirens) to climb an arbor this spring and would definitely recommend this vine, although there are lots of beautiful options! On the right, behind the holly, maybe a redtwig dogwood since the white fence backdrop might help the red pop in winter and go nicely with the holly in the foreground. If you want to stay within the hydrangea theme it might be a good spot for an oakleaf hydrangea to mix it up a bit. With the garden along your driveway, something a bit trailing might help soften the edges of the retaining walls. Evergreen candytuft might be a nice option and will be a beautiful white accessory to your spring bulbs. Do you have any fall bloomers in there? It looks like you have some autumn joy sedum on the far left but some anemones or asters might be a nice addition in the front. Maybe add some summer blooming perennials like catmint, Echinacea, coreopsis or campanula. Your house has a beautiful old traditional presence so some traditional cottage flowers seem to go with the style of the house.

A couple of thoughts.

In Boston, you get some snow and wind. What effect will your new fence have on drifting, etc?

I usually make an attempt to complement the house color if possible. It would be eye-catching to come up with a long-bloomer that would set off the color of your front door.

Jim

Thanks Pinksand and Jim for your ideas!

Pinksand, I love your idea of the arbor but we just installed a regular gate there, matching the one on the left (the picture was taken before the gate was installed). You're right that there's not much for fall color there. Redtwig dogwood is also a nice idea--I'll have to consider whether that spot gets enough sun to give the twigs good color.

Jim, Do you have any ideas for long-bloomers? Eventually we'll probably repaint the house in a different color--it was blue when we moved in and the paint is still in decent shape, but it's probably not what I would have picked. I am going to repaint the door soon, but probably won't change the color for now.

Snow is always a consideration. The fence is only one week old, so I don't know about drifting, but that is usually not a very windy spot because it's sheltered by our house and neighboring houses. I'm more interested in something that won't bend/break too much in heavy snow like we got this past winter. I always have to tie up the japanese holly because otherwise it bends completely to the ground.

{{gwi:46977}}

I'm bumping this up to see if anyone else has suggestions! I'm especially hoping to plant something by the front door (last two pictures) and behind the holly (middle two pictures) this fall. Thank you!

What about an abelia for that bare spot between the steps and fence? It looks like they're still hardy down to zone 6. In zone 7 mine do keep their leaves through winter, although they seem to lose their gloss and perkiness. It may not be evergreen in your zone, but since the site would be protected against the house and stairs it might be a good spot for one. I find them to be such graceful little shrubs with their lose arching form. As for long bloomers that might match your door, there are some red varieties of coreopsis. One of my favorite forever bloomers is the fernleaf bleeding heart I have one in full sun, one in shade, and one in part shade and they are all very healthy plants. Somewhere in part sun, shaded by nearby shrubbery might be a good spot. They aren't as large and showy as the traditional bleeding hearts but mine have been blooming since spring and will continue into fall. I think 'Bacchanal' is a red variety.