We have similar and they spread. We didn't plant them but I think birds have picked up seeds from else where and dropped at our place. We back onto a National Park so are getting rid of them, but you have to dig and get the roots out as well as they regrow quite easily... Ours get a bright red/orange flower head on them which look ok but not great in a native area..... Pull them out, roots and all and bin them.

Tropical plants will suit you best. Think amandas blush, red sister, subaru, heliconias, pony tail palms, philodendrons etc. They are hardy plants that need a little love to get going but will flourish for many years after. Style the space with some plants in pots (you can colour pop here or let the plants do that when they blossom). Some pavers, and nice stones/pebbles on the garden bed will really elevate the look. Pops of white will keep the space light and tropical. Some wooden furniture or tropical inspired decorations will also bring the space to the next level. It will be calm, inviting and easy to care for.

Hi there Michelle, Have you thought about using artificial Vertical Gardens/Hedges on the fence? It's crazy how like-like it looks and it is all UV protected to ensure longevity. We are located in VIC (ship across Aus) and using our product by the pool wont affect it at all! There's so many designs to choose from and it is extremely easy to install. If you are still not sure get in touch with us today and we can send you up some samples to show you just how good the product is! Below are some photos of previous jobs we have done to give you an idea - many more on our Houzz Profile! Cheers, Aidan Designer Plants Australia

Thank you for your suggestions! The Emu bush would look great against the charcoal house. I am very keen on the banksia too. I got a few doing well in the garden. The plant selector is a great tool which will come in very handy as I replace some plants that arent doing so well. I wish I have had that when we landscaped years ago!