Since he doesn't have alot of time for the summer garden, why not create a winter garden? I would use a gazing ball, windchimes, large rocks would add winter interest, evergreens-like yews, or holly, lights, a fire pit? bird feeders, a heated bird bath, plants that have foliage or seed pods or berries during the winter-tall grasses. Contorted plants like lauders walking stick come to mind, a windspinner of some sort, a bench to sit, maybe an evergreen tree to decorate for Christmas? Someone once suggested that tall stalks on a plant could be spray painted to add color for a few weeks.
