Question
We just built a new home in south central PA (zone 6) on 4 acres.  
I have two questions:
1.I need a hedge.  Here are the requirements:
-100 ft. long, 8-12 ft. high
-total shade year round
-evergreen
-needed to block view of road from my porch.  house is located approximately 100 feet from road.  Hedge will be located next to road under the shade of full grown oaks.
-hedge will be at extremity of property and will not be seen "up close" very often (from the "house side"....I don't care what it looks like from the "road side" of the hedge), so I will probably never trim or prune it in any way.
-once established, I prefer to have a maintenance free hedge.  as long as it blocks the view and doesn't die...I'll be happy
-also needed for bird habitat
Any suggestions on species?

2. I have looked in a few gardening magazines and noticed that they have "maps" of gardens that they display in photos.  The maps show the layout of the garden, complete with dimensions, plant names, spacing between plants, etc.  I am not a gardener and would simply like to "cheat" my way into a nice looking flower bed that would span the front of the house.  I cannot find anything in the magazines that fits the scale I am looking for.  Is there a place online to find something like this?  Or can you suggest a simple, yet nice looking arrangement that would fit a 50 ft. wide by 2-3 ft. deep garden that would go across the front of the whole house (no walkway)?  The top of the front deck is only about 12 inches above final grade.  I would assume that this is a difficult question to answer without discussing plant preferences.  Quite frankly, I would just like something colorful.
The front of the house sees the early and mid morning sun, but is shaded after noon.  

Don't know how to make my questions any simpler.  I don't know what to tell you beyond what I have already explained.

Thanks
Nick


Answer
Nick,
Follow these links to low maintenance hedges and perennial flowers for your questions:

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/ThujaGiantT.htm

http://www.directgardening.com/index.asp

http://www.tytyga.com/shrubs/

I would take a look at some Japanese Yews.They do nicely in the shade and you can trim or not.



Here are some perennial sources on the internet:

Here are some great sources to look at on the web:White Flower Farm,Musser Forests,Wayside Gardens, Shady Oaks Nursery,Walters Perennials(or Gardens),Jackson & Perkins,Khelm's Song Sparrow Perennial Farm,Van Bourgondien Bulbs,Van Dyck's Bulbs,Brent & Becky's Bulbs,Plants by Mail,Gardener's Supply Co.,Bluestone Perennials,Sheperds Seeds,Applewood seed Co.,Ball Seed Co.,Genesis Seeds,Ltd.(www.genesisseeds.com),Kieft Seed Co. USA(www.kieftseeds.com),Mountain Valley Seed,Inc.(www.mvseeds.com)

All these companies offer free catalogs too and a lot of specials if you order online.
Hope this is helpful info!