Susanna, A standard cypress which is evergreen could work. I have two cypress or juniper looking standards which are ground covers that are grafted onto a set height, my two plants are 1mtr and 1.5mtrs respectively. They are planted in the ground right beside a concrete fishpond and they have shown no sign of disruption. The major growth is usually only in trunk size and the foliage or span of my golden variety reaches over a metre now, so it doesn't cast much shade but is spectacular all the same. I'm currently away from home but when I return tomorrow, I can attach a photo of both my standards and botanical names if you'd like. Cheers, Barbara

Your home looks lovely. Ideas that come to mind for your 'dining' room include a sewing room, craft room, reading nook or children's playroom with a day bed but any of those ideas will only work if you have use for them. I know you have said you don't want another sitting room but my instinct would be a pair of wicker chairs, a jute mat, a small side table and some indoor greenery - essentially making a summer sitting room/reading room. With regards to your coffee table, perhaps include some texture. Either a mat under the bowl or fill the bowl with brush balls or something similar. Otherwise it appears to work well with your other furnishings and style.

she does a great job with Photo Shop.

Hi, The yellow plant looks like Sweet Broom, the weeping tree could be a Mulberry, Cherry or Apricot, very expensive this size,I think the other one is a weed, take a sample and your photos to a nursery for an identification , Happy gardening.