Plato wrote:

We are in the process of soliciting bids/designs to replace the
builder supplied landscaping in our house with something a bit nicer.
Our house is about a year old and resides in Northern Virginia.

Our current landscaping consists of a row of Uwanamous (not sure how
this is supposed to be spelled) plants against the house, with
azaleas in front, and some junipers around our light post. Also a
couple of holly's are thrown in. The builder also strategicaly placed
a cherry tree so in ten years it will block the front of our house.

So far all the bids that we have received thus far recommend that we
remove the Azaleas that the builder installed (along with everything
else). I'm not sure what type they are, but they have red flowers
that are currently in bloom. None of the bids call for using
Rhododendrons (which many of our neighbors have used to replaced the
uwanamous plants.)

So, my wife, being a fan of Azaleas, wants to know why none of the
landscapers want to keep them, and why absolutely none of the three
designs we have received thus far call for using any type of azalea or
rhododendron (which she also likes).

What do I tell her?

Did you ask the designers? Where I live, rhodies and azaleas are so
ubiquitous as to be boring in the extreme. They offer an extremely short
bloom season, then sit as dull green lumps for the other 11+ months of the
year. In your climate zone, there should be scores of other shrubs and
other plants which could offer a more extended period of interest.
Ideally, a good designer should incorporate plants you prefer along with
others they may be aware of to provide a long season of color and year
round interest. Personally, if the plants are in good health and suitable
to the location, I tend not to suggest wholesale removal, but perhaps
relocation into a more attractive grouping incorporating additional new
plant material. It is expensive and often unnecessary to remove everything
and start over, unless you as the homeowner truly dislike the plants.

I'd look for another designer who will work with you to incorporate the
plants you like and wish to keep into the design as well as offering
additional plant suggestions to add other seasonal interest. This process
should be a partnership - speak up!

BTW, the correct spelling is "euonymus", but you certainly nailed it
phonetically :-)

pam - gardengal