Hi petapea, the phal orchids, I have killed more that two but now have one with three stems of buds and I am pretty happy with myself... I went to an orchid fair..advice was plant them in blue metal. Yes blue metal!!! I mixed some spagnum moss and charcoal through my blue metal. I water only when blue metal not looking dark. We have been going through a cool spring so about every two to four weeks. They sit in a north facing window and when I water I using strike back for orchids liquid fertiliser every third of fourth time just water to flush. It has taken two to three years and many sad phal deaths to succeed

Congrats on choosing blocks for your garden bed. If you're looking for trees, I suggest considering a maple tree. They grow nicely over time, providing shade and privacy. I recently moved to a new house myself, and I'm also exploring plant options. Back in my hometown, we had a reliable tree service that helped us with planting and maintenance. Maybe you can find something similar in your area. I came across this website, https://www.deepdale-trees.co.uk , which might be helpful for you. They offer a variety of trees and services.

Hi Marie, The ‘cascade’ is beautiful also have a look at the ‘waterhousia’ it’s a weeping Lilly pilly also and the foliage is gorgeous, both would look great with the new dark colours of the ‘loropetulum Chinese fringe flower’ the leaves are a dark plum and the flower bright pink, mass planted in front of the Lilly pillies would look stunning , then with a pink weeping cherry it would be a showstopper, we are spoilt for choice these days, the range is fabulous

hi Katie, my experience with my plant-beds next to the pool, (at back of pool=1 metre deep x 3 metres long) & along side of pool =50cm deep * 15m long) - .. initially I planted Palms - removed them after 15 years.. .. I re-planted the 'back-bed' with 'Birds of Paradise, large' - I removed them last year, after 10 years, bcoz they grow very big and spread in all directions & broke-up the garden-wall. Over the past few months, I have been replanting all of my garden , still in-progress- . in the beds near the pool, I have planted - ...…. Tiger Grass bcoz it is not as vigorous as Bamboo, doesn't grow as tall and is in small clumps ….. interspersed with some 'ball-shape plants'.. (for example,EUPHORBIA Ascot Rainbow, RUBY Leaf Alternanthera Dentata Compact) and some silvers - check your local nursery for small tidy, compact shrubs....or, small grasses for a different shape Make sure that whatever you plant does not have any noxious sap etc.. .. https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/poisonous-plant-philodendron/ whatever you plant, there will be some drops into the pool - just make sure you turn on your vaccuum at least once a week...