Where is north in this photo? It looks to me as though the area in question is fairly shaded so a lot of the above options wont work if the area is on the southern side of the home, especially because of the winter shade. The space gets afternoon sun - in summer or winter? There are shadows from trees - are these deciduous or evergreen? Clay can vary enormously from being plasticine like to clay with rocks or stones in it. This will have an enormous bearing on the plants that you can use, precluding plants like westringias that require very good drainage. A plant that is as tough as old boots that will grow in both sun and shade [with some sunlight during the day] is Buxus microphylla var japonica varieties, while Aucuba japonica [Gold dust plant] or even some of the native lomandra grasses would work well. The first two can be grown as a hedge with the latter choosing a variety that you like [ there are so many], but have the plants all the same - don't mix them up. These will all grow in some shade, will grow in clay as well if it isn't too poorly drained. It does appear as though the area is sloping ever so slightly away from the house which is good. But I would steer clear of paving - unless its needed for access etc, it will look patchy and pointless - use plants instead to make your picture - its far more sustainable. Alison

Strelitizias - bird-of-paradise - are brilliant plants for the easy-care garden - even I have been unable to kill mine, after 14 years! I am NO landscape gardener at all (and my tiny courtyard and balcony mean I mostly rearrange pots rather than anything else . . . ) I think I'd go with strelitizias either side of the doorway, with the cordylines maybe along the rest of the front of the house. North of Perth, lucky you! I'd go with a frangipani down on the front corner by the drive, to make a nice big statement corner. I've found a couple of photos for you (both of which have agaves, and the first one is from Perth landscape company!) - one with a frangipani, the other with a palm of some sort, to give you some idea of what came to my mind. Hope they give you some more inspiration. (But basically, once you've found a plant you really like - maybe the strelitizias, maybe a frangipani! - just put it and 'garden' in a search engine, and you'll be able to browse all sorts of photos.) Have fun! http://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/connect/gardenartisans/gallerie/featured_projects/207783 and http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscaping-design/front-yard-landscaping/front-yard-landscaping_3

yes, they are elkhorns, very easy to look after, very structural, google care for them , they live for many years and new growth is gorgeous, lucky you.

With a south east aspect you are limited to shade loving plants, ivy, ferns etc. QLD is a large state with lots of different climates in it. You could he arid, subtropical or tropical. All of which support different plants.