I agree with Fiona about the Ficus - they have shocking root systems and should never be used near pools, houses etc. The width of your retaining wall from the photo looks really narrow, so you are going to have trouble growing most things in there; even the Pittosporums will eventually cause structural damage to the walls. The width of any garden bed should be ideally 1.5 metres at least for proper root establishment. This seems to be hard for most people to understand, but the bigger the plant, the wider the root system. So either widen the retaining wall or you will need to keep the plant lower. The pears mentioned also will never work. 5 years is the testing time of a good garden. When first planted they can look great, but they often break down as they grow. The Ficus and Pears' root systems will keep on expanding after the 5 year period with the Ficus having surface roots that cause massive damage to paving, concrete etc. Google it! And I have seen first hand the damage done by another Landscaper's work, based on inexperience. Get professional advice if in doubt - it is worth it if you get a good one. Alison

Very pretty plant but keep in mind that it will most likely have a short flowering life. A fiddle Fig is very popular with great leaf shape and easy to manage, just plain green all year round. Mother Inlaws Tongue, Snake Plant is another popular easy to manage plant,

Hi Brett, this is an image from Outdoor Establishments in Sydney, one of their Mosman projects. Maybe you can ask them? I'm tipping Dianella or possibly Liriope. Leaf blade is too wide to be one of the more likely Lomandra's.

Fabulous, love cloud pruning, very stylish, great article.