I'm considering something similar... I think I read some advice from Abigail ahern a while back about how great plants/ your garden looks against strong dark walls. Anyway, latest inside out had an example using taubmans black fox.

Chook, I had to admit I had never heard of a triffid. :) Joke's on me! (I just showed my cultural illiteracy.) Hmmm, it turns out that I do have one.....Japanese knotweed, which can tower over one's head if allowed to run rampant. It's attractive, really, but oops, I guess it's not a triffid as I don't think it's venomous. (And certainly not itch-producing like poison ivy, of which I have even more than the knotweed.) The knotweed is still winning the very long-running battle, but I have hope that eventually it will succumb to my determination at pulling it out, even if I can't get all of the root. Gioenne--my son will be envious when he sees your pictures. He really likes succulents, but unfortunately, they tend to be pricy, so he doesn't have too many. '

Hi I like the idea of a deck that is a common level with the house, but it would be expensive and maybe a waste of materials if the bricks are still level and whole. Consider pressure cleaning the bricks to remove grime and weeds. Imagine a pergola over the existing brick area. Have large pots at the foot of some of the posts with vines growing up the posts to eventually form a cover for seasonal shade. (Don't plant the vines directly into the ground, as they will eventually spoil the brickwork with their roots.) Or maybe the pergola could be covered with a suitable material of your choice which suits your climatic area - shade cloth, timber slats, canvas shades etc. Would you enjoy a fountain or water pool of ssome kind? Perhaps a Moroccan-style raised pool with tiled walls. Add some lovely seating - teak? or cane/rattan? and lots of potted greenery. Have fun with your new look.

Julie Herbert - thank you sooo much!!! I have seen these trees and wanted to know the names of them :) ...and now i know..I was googling fireworks trees hahaha. Thanks again!! I'm sooo happy now~