I've got an itch and don't know how to scratch it!

Some really inspirational ideas there: thank you!

Ok, here is another perspective of the same front patch ....

 

If I'd read that properly I would have realised that I had the wrong end of the stick

So plan A in the bin!
Plan B; Use the trough elsewhere. Raised rock mound beds planted up with Sempervivum, Lewisia and Mesembryanthemum (I'm sure that there are other suitable genera too) with a herbaceous planting beside these beds of Mediterranean, Adriatic and Turkish Digitalis species (mostly pale yellows and browns) with maybe Digitalis Illumination series and Isoplexis as well.
For the spring, Hermodactylus, Ornithogalum nutans and O.umbellatum, Scilla, Brimeura etc.

 

Could the trough be placed at the top of the steps against the front wall, this would give you a lovely focus point as you climb the steps and open the space at the side of the steps to some of the suggestions above.

 

love all the ideas you lot are very clever i have been thinking along those sort of lines @Lolimac for an area of mine i love the trough by the way x