Flufftop, there have been many good suggestions in this discussion. You already have two 'WOW' factors in your front yard...your lovely cottage and the tree. Whatever you do needs to link these two with the remainder of the garden and that's not an easy thing to do when you have a variety of ideas coming at you from all directions. Walk around your neighbourhood, go to Diggers for inspiration but also go to your local nursery and ask if they have a garden advisory service. Another option is to find a local garden designer (www.aildm.com.au) and have them visit your garden. They have the knowledge to tie all your ideas and thoughts together. They will suggest ways to incorporate all, or some, of your wishes into a unified design which can be implemented immediately or over a period of time to suit your budget. It will cost you a fee for an hour or two ,or more if you get a plan drawn up, but will save you money and disappointment because you'll be eliminating guess work and mistakes. Best wishes Arthur

That looks so lovely. Your hard work has really paid off. Vam I ask what area you are in? That view looks very rural but you can never can tell.

I don't mind maintenance as long as I'm not pruning all the time. Budget wise probably no more than $1000 though I have no idea how much plants cost. I know hedging plants need to be spaced fairly closely. That's a good point about the formal hedge georgi02. I do love formal hedges though.

Hi Anne, the smaller hedges are buxus (english box) the taller and also the one in circle is viburnum tinus, and the taller at back is conifer sparten. They were all planted touching each other to form a dense hedge, been in about 5 years, buxus is slow growing but once established it just goes on forever, another good hedge is viburnum 'emerald lustre' a bit more casual than buxus, really fast grower but really lush and beautiful, thank you for your lovely comments Anne.