How can I make a good first impression here?

I removed Nandenias and want some low growing replacement shrubbery

Weeding out your plants is a good way to start, Virginia. I'm sure you know more about plants than I do, so when you've addressed them, I'd make a nice vertical sign that says "Welcome" to put next to your window on the door side. A new doormat would look good. Something on that large wall area would be good. Trellis? With a climbing plant? or a beautiful wreath? Good luck.

Hi Virginia, what an awesome area for a garden. For easy gardening have you thought about planting some perineals across the front like liriope and day lilies? On each corner of the garden, tall roundish garden containers would soften the straight lines of the house. Use the tall containers to add annuals that would give the area a pop of color. In the middle, plant a dwarf tree like a Jane Magnolia or a limelight hydrangea tree. A tall white decorative trellis against the solid brick wall woluld offset the windows. Happy gardening.

Yellow flowered plants would make that corner pop. Some of the other suggestions are good also. Try adding a nice red mulch after you have changed you plants.

Put something tall in the back corner (plant, trellis, or yard art) and use bricks or something a little more ornate where the plastic edging is now. Maybe add something to the wall on the right where that triangle of light is - the letter of your last name or whatever depicts your sense of style!

Go low with landscape don't block the window. Something that will climb on the wall or decorative object. Maybe even a bird bath fountain theme.

Have you thought of a nice metal or wood/metal garden bench on that long right wall? Then you could shift the focus to designing around that wall..think about placing a tall narrow shrub on either side of the bench...maybe make a small curving walkway of mulch to have access to sit on the bench..so you could do low growing plants and small flowers on either side of this nice little path to the bench.. it would be so adorable!!

Wall fountain on plain brick wall.

Hello Virginia,

White Plastic Trellis in the shape of an Arch on wall. or Very Large Hanging Basket in centre top of wall. or Framed Mirror( It would reflect the window and possibly double the look of your garden. If you don't like that add a Stature in the corner (Maybe a Classic Lady)?

Create a focal point and plant things around it .. Add some decor on the wall oposite window