If R-of-S only gets 8' ht. there, then no, not tall enough. Need 12' - 15' ... like a compact burning bush would eventually get. A standard would work, but I don't think it would have anywhere near the oomph and presence a nice multi-trunk would offer. Whatever it is, it would be a small tree. Limb it high...9' and you should get enough light below the canopy to grow things well. You can control the canopy size by choice of tree and some pruning, if necessary. Most of the time I see the raised edging, it's because the soil was not reduced in elevation before adding a substantial thickness of mulch, therefore making the edging seem necessary. But if the soil level were first reduced, then mulch would not be spilling over onto the walk. Also, mulch (as I view it) is a temporary condition. There should be some kind of plants/groundcover holding the soil in place once a plan is implemented and grows to completion. Think of how many places you've seen a walk meet a planting, like at the edge of your lawn, for example. There is no raised edging needed there. I think your fears about your plantings looking like your neighbor's garden are unfounded. What you need is some sort of "backdrop" for your space. If you plant a shrub that you expect to have a 5' spread, you might plant it's center 2 1/2' away from the lot line. If a little encroaches onto the neighbor's side, he can just shear it off as he pleases and since, from your point of view, it'll be the plant's back side, it will make no difference to you. He has the right and you shouldn't care. I think if you plant the same size plant right at the lot line, it would be perceived by him as somewhat aggressive, since the space is tight. As far as lining the walk with non-grass plantings, I generally think this defeats the overall goals of landscaping (displaying the entrance and making the approach to it look and seem appealing.) Usually, this is because people tend to fill these spaces with tall plant material so the walk to the front door seems like the corralled path the cows take at the slaughterhouse. Also, plantings that are in thin lines generally do not look good as compared to those that are wide ... proportionate to the structure and space. That said, I think you could plant along the walk if you keep the bed wide and the plantings low. Place the taller plantings closer to the backdrop. And also keep the taller plantings away from directly in front of the entrance space. (Except the tree which is something raised up so it does not block the entrance.) I think the approach to the entrance would be improved if you added another row of paving block to the left side (as viewed from street) of the walk. More spaciousness on the way to the entrance is a good thing. Be careful of subdividing your bed with curved edgings that seem to go with nothing around them. The space is small, tight and defined by large rectangular structures. Find a way to make any subdividing compatible with that. A single curve, for example, might connect two planes. I think I would organize the heights roughly as in the picture. I'm not saying you must come all the way to the public walk, but that if you do, how you might do it.

If you refer to them as Lilium Tigrinum everyone will immediately know what you're dealing with... as opposed to the "ditch lilies" many find pesky. Your tigers are the easiest of the lilies to grow and have great success with. They just never seem to disappoint especially if you've got a sunny spot with good drainage. Personally, I would not soak them - just crumble the soil away from the bulbs by hand to separate them out then plant the bulbs at least 6" deep... the top of the bulb below where the stem starts should be the 6" beneath the soil line. They're tough, you can't hurt them even if you accidently break off a stalk which by now should be starting to yellow out. Water them in and forget them till they emerge in the spring. Check out the Lilies Forum, too. Aside from getting the lilies into the ground - I'd probably spend this time preparing any future planting beds and making a few elimentary plans before doing any planting. There are all kinds of ground covers - from Uva-Ursi (bearberry) or Sedums like Dragon's Blood to creeping Junipers, etc. What do you like and what do you want to look at from what vantage point; and are you planting things for your own pleasure or for curb appeal? Think you'll be happier with any results by working out a basic plan.

Nosoccermom, I try to shop family-owned and local whenever possible. The table was purchased at a local New England furniture store called Circle Furniture. The table is 100 yr reclaimed chestnut from Vermont. I believe the manufacturer produces furniture and taps maple trees for syrup. Fun, huh? Here is the link. We went with painted black apron and legs: http://www.circlefurniture.com/products/dining/dining-tables/recalimed-dining

Thanks a lot for your kind replies! I understand that smoke trees are not meant to be houseplants, but they were doing perfectly fine in the black plastic pot before the transplanting. I remember not over-watering the plant since I waited to water it until some leaves wilted, yellowed and fell off. Also, I don't think getting enough sun is the issue either because my eucalyptus is doing well in my balcony! As for the potting mix, I used the mix composed of coco peat + peat moss + humus + perlite + vermiculite and I added some worm casting to the mix. Unfortunately, I am from a big city in Korea, but not rich, so do not have any outdoor garden space at all! :( So I just have to do with I have... So...I would really appreciate if anyone please please please let me know if you would have any ideas about what is wrong with my poor smoke tree, especially in regards to nutrient deficiency. Thanks a million times!