Any imported soil will cause problems with the longevity of plants that you choose. You are always better off working with the existing soil on the site. Because of changes, I would suggest that you consider getting a professional in to have a look at that site. You have a slope towards the fence which is going to cause a problem and the garden bed that you have constructed only looks as though it is about 50cm wide. This is nowhere near wide enough to get any plant to grow to fence height. Unless you grow bamboo which is expensive and wont like the imported soil. And even then this plant will increase beyond 50cm - even the clumping forms. As for the Chinese Elm - these can become massive trees. Taller shrubs, like Callistemon pallidus could have the stems trimmed and retain the canopy and being native will be more tolerant of soils and conditions. Professional advice is needed here. And get an older person who has had years or experience and is a horticulturist.

Acmena smithii – Lilly Pilly Using my favourite site's plant selector the above plant pops up. You can have a look at the Gardening with Angus site for details.

I'd go for something hardy like lillipillies along the pool - provided that you don't mind losing sun in either the morning or afternoon depending on which way the side faces. If you want to keep the pool nice and warm go for something a bit lower like a mix of tropical plants like ginger, small palms and bougainvillea which will add lovely colour. I'd caution against bamboo as they drop quite a bit of leaf litter and are very water hungry. As for the shady areas not sure but perhaps some pretty river pebbles as 'mulch' interspersed with a few shade-loving tropical plants like you see at hotels. But not too many plants as this will make the area darker.

Whenever we get the chance we embrace the choices given to us with some specific trees and their noticeable bark features using this as an element of the design. It’s truly amazing what shapes, colours and form you can find in our trees. So, with that let me share a few with you from the gentle to the total showoffs. Eucalyptus deglupta ‘Rainbow Eucalyptus’ I had to show this one off. It hails from high-rainfall tropical forests in New Guinea, Indonesia and the Philippines and it’s the only eucalyptus tree that’s indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere but it is being grown in the Botanical Gardens ofSouth Australia and is starting to show of its colours. Unfortunately, the appetite for logging and loss of habitat has resulted in the Eucalyptus deglupta becoming endangered in parts of its natural range, which highlights the botanical gardens’ role. As I said a total show off but check its suitability for your growing zone. Acer griseum ‘Paperbark Maple’ Paperbark Maple is noted for its exfoliating bark and showy fall colour. An award-winning small spreading deciduous tree that is highly desirable. Slow-growing, this maple tree is an outstanding four-season tree with leaves that are green above and frosty blue green to grey-green with fine hairs beneath. Lagerstromia indica ‘Crepe Myrtle’ A magnificent tree making it an ideal choice as a flowering tree in our Australian heat. It is available in a multitude of flower colours ranging from white through to red and forms ranging from shrubs to trees. Not only that but another strong feature is its exfoliating bark giving you that ornamental value even during the dormant winter months. Betula utilis ‘Himalayan Birch’ Highly regarded for their beautiful ornamental creamy white peeling bark, Birches are one of the most popular medium-sized trees grown in Australia and yet many people are unaware of the wide variety of styles available. The common seedling grown Silver Birch (Betula pendula) has spawned many beautiful cultivars and wow are there some beautiful ones. So worth investigating their suitability for your growing zone. Acer Sango Kaku Senkaki ‘Coral bark maple’ A great grafted variety of Japanese Maple. It has year-round interest with a rounded neat habit and along with its stunning coral-red bark which is especially noticeable during winter. The foliage emerges in colour as bright light green slowly turning to a brilliant yellow and then eventual apricot-orange in autumn. A great feature tree for small gardens and or mass planting. Luma apiculate ‘Chilean Myrtle’ With good glossy green foliage and a dense growth habit this one will reach around 5 – 10 m in height with a nice rounded crown. One of its features is the creamy white flowers along with its attractive mottled brown bark. This is as versatile as it can be due to its ease of pruning allowing for a hedging product as the small deep olive glossy leaves assist in keeping it looking neat after being trimmed. Best grown in full sun, although light shade will also be sufficient. A humus rich soil with some moisture will ensure good growth. Chris Slaughter www.scenicbluedesign.com.au