Would a tree peony work? Klehm's Songsparrow has one called Burgundy Wine that looks good. I was also considering the new reblooming lilac.

you mention sheltered.. which might be a little microclimate..

but you dont mention which direction the door faces... and the eave...

will there be enough sun for such a big flowered plant ...

the bigger the flower.. the more important that it have proper sunlight ...

ken

You'd have to seek a dwarf variety like Spice Island.

I also really like Blue Shadow Fothergilla. The blue would pop off the burgandy foilaged plants. They tend to like slightly acidic soil but do good with slightly alkaline as well.

What about a dwarf Japanese maple?

My suggestion for this high profile spot is something unique, very long bloom time or multi-seasonal interest.

IMO, Peonies are overrated. They are great for a couple weeks and then take a digger the rest of the year. So only good in a mixed border application.

I have a tree peony in a corner of the backyard. It's two years old and does well there. It had three blooms last year and was really pretty. But I have no idea what they look like when they get older and whether the foliage stays nice all year. I was thinking spring flowering might be okay since I've got lavender along the path to the door that bloom in the summer that provide a lot of fragrance.

I love Japanese maples, but they're iffy here and my husband doesn't like them. I hadn't considered them for this spot. It would be more sheltered but I don't know that I could get my husband to agree to one there. I've have to think about it.

I'll look up the Viburnum. That does sound like a good idea.

Have you considered Hydrangea paniculata? Perhaps the cultivar 'Tickled Pink'.

I am not familiar with the Hydrangea 'Tickled Pink', but 'Quickfire' is good. Its blooms turn pink pretty quickly.

I got a new-ish Weigela last year that has nice burgundy foliage. It was a good size for a foundation. I can't recall the name of it, but it was one I had never heard of before. weigelas generally leaf out late though so keep that in mind.

One of those dwarf lilacs? only if very disease-resistant though. That would not be a good spot for mildew.

Scent is the most important factor. It's going right next to the living room window and right next to the front door. The Bloomerang lilac might be my best choice if the foliage stays decent all year. I am still considering the Spiced Bouquet Viburnum.

Do Hydrangea's or Weigela's have a scent?

I was considering another rose, but the hardy roses are usually scentless and the non-hardy ones take a while to get going in the spring and generally don't form a nice bush shape here in Wisconsin.

Red Prince Weigela is another option...not sure if the habit works for you.

Most of the Easy Elegance roses that I've seen don't have much of a scent. They haven't impressed me much but I'm really a hybrid tea girl.

I do like the Weigela's but I've never smelled anything from them. And leafing out late wouldn't work well in this spot. The smoke bush on the end has the same issue and I'm barely willing to put up with it.

It made it to the roof by fall (and onto the front step) which is why it has to move. I'll look and see if I can find a picture of the whole border. Unfortunately I can't take pics right now since there's a giant snowdrift there.

Then just keep the canes on the outer side of the trellis and enjoy it in safety.

or salix "hakura Nashiki" a noninvasive root type with lovely red stems in the winter.

or perhaps an ornamental grass

and then for fragrance add some spring bulbs like hyacinths and later lilies which take minimal space and smell great.
Have fun figuring out what will work best for you.
Flora