Hi Jenny, I'd suggest popping into your local nursery (not big box store). Often they will offer a consultation service where they can come out and help suggest plants that suit your aspect, climate and situation. The other option is to have a consultation with a local landscape designer or horticulturalist who specialises in planting. Check your local landscape association or AILDM for listings in your area. An outlay now could save you $$$'s in the longer term, as well as making sure that what you do spend your money on is going to give you the most bang for your buck. They'll also have local knowledge as to what can potentially become weeds. Just remember you can't plant anything against the fence that can be considered climbable - this can include hedges. Have a look at the link I included above as to what the definition of climbable is. Look for lush and green to link in with the background. Some pops of colour; maybe foliage (eg alternanthera) or flower (bougainvillea or mandevilla) will also help to lift it and make the green more green. Small growing varieties of lomandra may be better than the large one you have there - this could easily be moved, divided and used elsewhere.

Definitely get rid of the date palms- if they get much bigger it will be a huge job finding someone who will deal with them that close to your house. I'm thinking 1 cycad for this garden would be plenty, although they are getting huge also. Their fronds are pretty sharp and they are overhanging the entry path to your door. You wont know yourselves with the light that will stream in after you do a cull.

Hi Rick, I am presuming you are in Queensland because of the pebble crete driveway. If so i would suggest you get rid of the whole dated bed and go back to lawn. Save what you can from the bed, the palms and conifers would look great in pots. They could also be put in long planter box under the front window symmetrically with an agave in the middle. Your house has straight geometric lines so would suit formal style garden with Murraya hedging, grow to mid thigh height across the front from letterbox , leaving open for entry path, and both sides could be higher. For height I would plant advanced Bangalow palms or candle stick Cyprus pines either side of your entry, and put a stepping stone pathway in the lawn, from your front boundary near letterbox to the front door to save visitors from squeezing past cars. The other path which comes off the driveway would be just for your own use. I would under plant these with 3 Cycads or Zanadu for each, fill in and edge with Rhoeo making a small bed. This will make your entry stand out. Improve soil with compost or cow manure be for planting and mulch well with dark cottage mulch. On the right hand side between the end of the window and the new hedge I would plant a shady evergreen specimen tree in the front corner of thelawn. The trees over the road in the pictures look good. Tuckeroo tree? Under plant to soften with star jasmine ground cover. Clip to keep neat. your lawn needs feeding then it will lush up and be more protected from the heat. Keep blade high, don't scalp! Simple and clean lines look modern and stylish. Good luck! Josie

The 2 brick photos still look slightly different to me , but thats not overly important . Most of the fence is very basic , and not looked after . The front fence is 'sort of' artistic , but I don't think even that is well done . And then there are those panels 'stacked' 3 high further back , where they can't be seen . Oh , and the letterbox is really basic . In fact , the whole place looks like what I call a 'rental' -- lacking a bit of love . Do you know if those bricks ( either colour haha ) are readily available in your area ? Cause here's my suggestion -- if the budget stretches , and the neighbours agree , do the side fences with brick posts , and brick up to 500-600cm , maybe even a metre further back , with a single panel above . The front fence -- brick posts , and panels similar to present , but you'd need 1 less panel wide as there would be 'those' brick poles in between each panel , and of course do a slightly taller 'post' with a letterbox ( probably using the same brick , with a stainless steel letter slot and numbers -- or maybe keep it low ? ) . That would add a heap more reference to the house , the bricks , the carport , and the panels . Presumably its more $$$ than you intended , from your painting comments , but it would add a lot IMO . Just a thought . . . . . . . . . . .