Where is north in this photo? It looks to me as though the area in question is fairly shaded so a lot of the above options wont work if the area is on the southern side of the home, especially because of the winter shade. The space gets afternoon sun - in summer or winter? There are shadows from trees - are these deciduous or evergreen? Clay can vary enormously from being plasticine like to clay with rocks or stones in it. This will have an enormous bearing on the plants that you can use, precluding plants like westringias that require very good drainage. A plant that is as tough as old boots that will grow in both sun and shade [with some sunlight during the day] is Buxus microphylla var japonica varieties, while Aucuba japonica [Gold dust plant] or even some of the native lomandra grasses would work well. The first two can be grown as a hedge with the latter choosing a variety that you like [ there are so many], but have the plants all the same - don't mix them up. These will all grow in some shade, will grow in clay as well if it isn't too poorly drained. It does appear as though the area is sloping ever so slightly away from the house which is good. But I would steer clear of paving - unless its needed for access etc, it will look patchy and pointless - use plants instead to make your picture - its far more sustainable. Alison

We have similar and they spread. We didn't plant them but I think birds have picked up seeds from else where and dropped at our place. We back onto a National Park so are getting rid of them, but you have to dig and get the roots out as well as they regrow quite easily... Ours get a bright red/orange flower head on them which look ok but not great in a native area..... Pull them out, roots and all and bin them.

https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/28074748/list/exotic-plants-for-frosty-gardens I had saved this link previously with some nice tropical plants that could survive in a colder environments and there are some nice ones here. I love the Pineapple Lilly. Oh and the strawberry tree is gorgeous too.

Hi Simone, I think planting the agapanthus in the front to get the full effect would look beautiful, then taller plants at the back, you could plant standard roses, verbena, even a magnolia underplanted with white agapanthus or white dietes to match the white flowers could look stunning.