Thank you all for your comments. Well, it's been a few months since my original post and we have since finished putting up the retaining wall and planting the hedge. We decided to go ahead with Murrayas - planted about 34-40 cm apart. I gave them a good trim about a week after planting at the end of Autumn and another quick trim at the start of Spring. They have really filled out in warm weather and I think the gaps between individual plants should close by the start of winter. I'm really happy with the choice - the hedge looks glossy and lush and the sweet smell of Murraya flowers is just beautiful. We didn't do any underplanting, but I'm still thinking about putting in the dwarf agapanthus for the inside border. A couple of weeks ago we planted some Rhaphiolepis "Snow Maiden" and Rhoeo along one side of the retaining wall to provide a border for a footpath and I'm really happy how it turned out.

Unfortunately it can take a lot longer than 20 years for damage to become evident. And every bit of root left behind if removed, will grow, as the plant also grows from root cuttings. The movement is insidious, but by the time its evident, with above ground roots, the damage has been done. As a professional, I have seen many instances of this occurring. Do a Google search. A good source will confirm my comments. Figs are fine in pots, off the ground. I note that Diggers have them in their garden as a screen - and they look fantastic. They also sell them. Grown a long way from buildings, because the root reach is considerable, and from septic systems, they could be OK. But I personally, as a Horticulturist with significant plant knowledge, would never put them in the ground in my own garden, or for clients. I'm offering this advice to avoid problems for people in the future. This knowledge comes with over 40 years of hands-on and professional gardening experience. Figs should not be put in the ground near structures, garden walls, concrete paths etc.

How beautiful, could be a sweet viburnum, take a piece to your local nursery for identification, looks very hardy, if it is viburnum then it needs a trim to keep its shape, a slow release fertiliser and it likes to be kept in moist well drained soil. Looks like it is well established so it will be easy to maintain , how lucky you are.

Hi Kylie, look at OzBreed varieties 'Quick Fence' and 'Dense Fence'. They're stocked by a few different places, the OzBreed site will advise where they're stocked too. Best of luck! I'm also considering the same varieties at the moment