Question
Marc,

Thanks for volunteering your time.  We live in Frederick MD (about 25 miles North of Wash DC - listed as North East US at USNA).  The front landscaping of our house, which was done by our builder, consisted of four primary elements: loripe - tons of it -, juniper bushes, evergreens and one more flowering bush.  We just had all of it removed save the evergreens and the flowering bushs.  In short, the design now looks like a fairly tall thin evergreen, 4 flowering bushes, a tall then evergreen, front porch, then the same pattern repeats on the other side of the porch.  We are looking for some ideas on good sturdy plants for the front of our home.. i know this isn't much to go on but any suggestions are appreciated.  

Answer
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say you were a USDA zone 6a/6b...I've been though Fredrick MD, on our way to Gettysburg.  Lovely little community.  I'm guessing the "flowering bushes" are either Hydrangeas, Azaleas, or Rhododendrons.

I would normally direct you to the Maryland Ag extension website ( http://www.hgic.umd.edu ), where most state universities have many good suggestions for home landscape plants.  Maryland is a bit different, focusing more on insect control and Chesapeake Bay water quality issues - fine endeavors, but not really what you wanted - help in picking some basic landscape plants.   

So, it may be of benefit to you may try your neighboring state's site, the Virginia Agricultural Extension:

http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Docs.woa/wa/getcat?cat=ir-ln-tsg

If this web address tag is too much for your browser, then just go to:

http://www.ext.vt.edu

Then, "drill down" to the "educational programs" section, then "home gardening? and finally the "Trees/Shrubs/Groundcovers" area.  Lots of publications to help.  And, they are *FREE*

Remember your zone, 6a/6b, in selecting the plants.  I quickly looked at the list of broad-leaf evergreen plants, and they will definitely fit the bill for "sturdy".

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-607/426-607.html

And, in general, if you can find it in a local nursery, it will grow in your region.

Good luck!  -Marc