Share
Hi there,
My husband and I are adding a outdoor firepit area with seating made from besser blocks. Ive attached the inspiration picture we are using to guide us. My question is what kind of plants would add good contrast or colour behind the seating. Im not looking for screening plants or plant hedges but rather something like a coastal type theme. These plants will be next to a colourbond fence. We get direct sunlight and part shade. We are located in Central coast so humid type heat in summer. Any advice would be great as we are novices when it comes to all things plants.
Current space.
inspiration
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Mana55. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about plant selection.
There are several plants that will give colour and texture without creating a dense hedge. Westringia fruticosa, or coastal rosemary, is a hardy option with grey-green foliage and small pale purple or white flowers, perfect for sunny or partly shaded areas. Correa alba ‘Coastal Pink’ adds a soft pop of pink flowers and grows up to about 2 metres, providing a gentle backdrop against your colourbond fence. For texture and contrast, Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’ offers vibrant strappy foliage that works well in front of shrubs to create layered interest. If you want a slightly taller, architectural feature, Banksia spinulosa, particularly a compact cultivar, provides dramatic flower spikes and attractive foliage. All these plants are relatively low-maintenance and thrive in the humid, hot summers typical of the Central Coast, giving your outdoor area a relaxed, coastal feel with minimal upkeep.
You might like to check out How to give your garden a makeover for some great advice and our Top 10 most popular garden makeovers for inspiration.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Hi @Mana55,
Yes, you could definitely incorporate palms or tropical-style plants in that area to complement the coastal look. Just be mindful of spacing: try to leave a gap between the plants and the Colorbond fence, as the metal can get quite hot in full sun. The radiant heat could stress or scorch the foliage if the plants are too close.
Mitchell
Hi @Mana55,
Yes, you could definitely incorporate palms or tropical-style plants in that area to complement the coastal look. Just be mindful of spacing: try to leave a gap between the plants and the Colorbond fence, as the metal can get quite hot in full sun. The radiant heat could stress or scorch the foliage if the plants are too close.
Mitchell
