Thank you very much for your advice. I like your thinking and can develop my planting with your suggestions in mind. Confirming what type of pot colour has been a big plus in my search. I have planted some nasturtiums for a bit of summer colour, and hope the Shasta Daisies will also give a bit of show. It is in a hot dry place enduring Queensland 35-40C in summer, so the pretties, bulbs, azelias etc are all in winter/spring here, and summer is over to the more hardies. I take your point about the bare time between flowering, and as it is in the entrance to my yard, I am trying to make it inviting all year round. Much appreciate your advice Thanks I

Hi Jo, Hope you realize that Blue Pacific can grow quite large unless you have a "nana" variety. The standard plant which I have in my garden, can grow almost 2mtrs tall and spread 1.5 mtrs in every direction and very low to the ground. The area you are showing isn't very big, you may have to keep them trimmed regularly otherwise the trunk can get 20cm thick and the branches 7.5cm thick and it doesn't like pruning when it's got too big. (personal experience). good luck, Barbara

Thank you ,Anne. Our average rainfall over 12 months is 6 - 700 mls. Usually we get it in Autumn and Spring. The last 12 months we have had 400 mls, and a lot of that has fallen as showers, so it doesn't soak into the soil. It is simply heartbreaking. And it makes me grind my teeth when the Sydney newspeople talk about lovely sunny weather! Even if it rains now, it is too cold for much to grow. This area is prime agricultural land - and our local member, Mr Joyce, blathers on about supporting the coal industry.

Thanks to everyone for your fantastic answers and voting in this poll series. This was a tricky one and we'd like to congratulate Anne! Anne, please look forward to receiving an email shortly from the Houzz team. Don't worry if you missed out on the occasion, stay tuned for more competitions coming up. The Houzz team.