Hi Anna, just looking at your layout... I would move your pedestrian path over a little so that your pedestrian gate is lined up with the archway closest to your front door ( Arch 1). I would remove the screen as this breaks up the space and interrupts the flow from street to front door. Moving the path over will also allow for thicker planting alongside the edge of the driveway which will make your courtyard quieter and more private. I think the next step for you would be to then consider the shape of your lawn. As your house has a Mediterranean feel, a strong geometric shape would work the best - square, rectangle, or even a square with a half circle at each end. Leave a minimum of 1.5 metres to the boundaries, particularly if you want nice thick hedging. Finally, consider a couple of features to add interest and draw the eye - keeping with the Mediterranean feel, a couple of lemon trees in pots would look fab! Hope that helps and good luck with your project!

Hi Rellish, unable to post photos at the moment, am interstate, the viburnum is pretty thick and may not let your bulbs get through, liriope that big reader suggested would be ideal, or you could do a double tiered hedge say buxus and liriope, that would be lovely in front of magnolias.

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

depends on direction of sun and local climate...where is north and where is the house?..i'd buy a collection of big pots (plastic or steel garbage bins can look good) and add some rubble for drainage then deep mulch and sit your plants on top of the mulch and arrange the planters in groups to suit your furniture arrangements under the pergola and consider adding shade cloth screens around the whole pergola to shade hot sun, block wind, exclude bugs and make the space more comfortable for yourself and the plants...looks like a great house in an interesting location, congratulation