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Need inspiration for low-maintenance garden

Hello community, would love your help and advice for the garden. I have a raised garden bed with two large palm trees in it. I am looking to add some low maintenance, sturdy plants/trees and also some colourful plants to, to give it some life and something nice to look at in the garden. Don’t no where to start on selecting the right planet/trees and flowers. I did read somewhere, it’s good to layer in tier for an effective look. Area is south facing but it does get quiet a bit of light
any thoughts would be great. Please see photo. Approx 4 meters in length and 1metre in width (approximately)

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Comments

EricL

Hello @aoifemacs

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about adding plants to your garden.

Can you please tell us your general location so that we can recommend the proper plants for your area. I'm just a little bit worried that planting in between those large palm trees might not work. Because they are so large they will be absorbing all the nutrients in that area and will not leave any for the smaller plants. I therefore suggest thinking about setting up another raised garden to the left. This will allow you to expand your plant choices and not be limited by space.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

aoifemacs

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/48985#Comment_48985

Thanks for your response Eric. Really appropriate it. I live in Melbourne in Carrum/patterson lakes area.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86589#Comment_86589

Hello @aoifemacs

Since you're in the Carrum/Patterson Lakes area in Melbourne, your garden bed is in a south-facing position but still gets plenty of light, which means you have a good range of plant options. Your best bet is to go for a mix of hardy, low-maintenance plants that can handle Melbourne's climate while also providing structure and year-round interest.

For a layered effect, start with a tall background layer to complement your palm trees. Consider something like Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree Palm) or Dianella (Flax Lily), which are hardy and provide a nice vertical element without overpowering the space.

For the middle layer, try Agapanthus (dwarf varieties work well in raised beds), Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos), or Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa ‘Aussie Box’), which are all sturdy, low-maintenance choices that add lushness and texture.

For colour and ground cover, you could plant Grevillea ‘Peaches and Cream’, which provides year-round flowers and attracts birds, or Salvia greggii (Autumn Sage), which has vibrant flowers and is drought-tolerant. For something with trailing or spreading growth, Creeping Boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) is great for softening the edges of the bed.

With this mix, you'll have a garden that’s easy to maintain, resilient in your coastal conditions, and provides year-round colour and interest.

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle and @mich1972 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

aoifemacs

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108686#Comment_108686

Eric, you’re a legend. Thank you so much for your detailed, personal and informative response. Love your work! Thank you

Noelle

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108686#Comment_108686

Great suggestions here from @EricL !

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