landscaping decision

First I want to thank the medit-list very much for the valuable information
I have gleaned from your emails over the past 3+ months.  I have gone from a
relative newby on plants to a great enthusiast in part from being a list
member to this group.  For those of you whom have been gardening for a very
long time, you may have forgotten that sudden transition from casual
observer of plants and foliage to "see nothing but interesting plants and
foliage" every time you are outside!  Well this is where I am now and I
really feel fortunate to live in an area where such a beautiful variety of
Mediterranean-type plants thrive.

I am finalizing my plans for the softscape portion of my yard and wanted to
check your thoughts on the following selections.  For the north-east side of
the house in the front yard along a fence that connects to my house I am
debating placing a row of Eleagnus xebbingei or E. pungens as backdrop for
Chaemoneles (Flowering Quince).  I liked the 'Hollandia' variety because it
is tall and may bloom in both the early part of the year and in the fall.  I
would also like to add a Rhodendron in the foreground to one side or the
other.  This section will be flanked by formal front hedge of Myrtle and an
informal border hedge of Nerium Oleander.  Is there a better background
plant that would enliven the area more during off-blooming seasons for the
Chaemoneles?

Also, I am debating between a groomed Eryrthrina crista-galli and an Arbutus
uneda as a tree planting which would create a bit of privacy to the front
courtyard.  Any thoughts here?

Thanks very much for any feedback you can provide.

Kindly,
Katherine Hubbard
katherine@hubbards.org
San Ramon, CA  (Sunset Western Garden Book Zone 14)
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