probably too late now but my suggestions include 1. exchange the glass slider in the laundry for timber framed glass door with venetian, 2. changing the internal laundry door position allows for extra storage, accessed from the hallway, while still allowing 2.7m laundry counter with space for a drop in sink, under bench basket, washer and floor standing dryer (very happy with this arrangement with wall cabinets and hanging rail) 3, reducing the depth of the pantry to 1200 and changing the pantry door allows better use of the space, easy access to set down counter for fridge and unloading groceries into the pantry, room for full size freezer and the space taken off the pantry is added to 4. bigger bedroom with smaller wardrobe and the re-positioned door gives more flexible use of the bedroom and extra storage from the hallway...BTW check out the good tax rules for owners who rent their homes for up to six years..

Hi Roger, With the pleached trees, I think your underplanting amps up the tropical look especially if you go with a magnolia that have the dark green upper leave and the bronze underside. You could just go for banana or palms - personally I think you might be right about the clumping bamboo becoming a bit dense. Regarding your 400mm retaining wall - citrus are shallow rooted and tend to have a root system that goes out to their drip line. Maybe if you put it in a corner you can use the corner to espalier it in conjunction with staking it to get upper stablility but I'm not sure how it'd go with the roots - but give it a go at $30-50 depending upon size it's not an huge amount if it doesn't do well - just dig it up (just watch the thorns) and give it to a friend - check out Daileys for varieties and maybe get in touch and see what they think, they might do them on a dwarf root stock - I've found them to be helpful in the past. i'd be reluctant to underplant any kind of citrus though - as they are shallow feeders.

I would not be inclined to plant a Murraya for your hedge. I have a Murraya hedge and am forever clipping it. The branches also become a bit thick to trim. The Indian Hawthorne pictured is in my opinion a more suitable plant. It flowers most of the year and is easy to keep in shape or can be left to grow naturally. It comes in whit or different shades of pink. The pink variety is a slower grower therefore less clipping. Go and have a look at the nursery to see if you like the foliage and flowers. I agree with the comment, not to try to keep the pines which somebody else has planted. This is your home now and you have the opportunity to design the garden. Good luck with your new garden. Jan

I planted a row of five Manchurian Pear trees along my front boundary and love their changes through the seasons. They are very hardy once established and are often used as street trees for their hardiness and good scale for a nature strip. Beautiful red/orange foilage in autumn, white blossums in spring, and lush green foilage in summer provides good shade. They look great as a single tree, a group of three, or a row of five trees. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls.