Hi @TamH,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
A west-facing deck gets plenty of afternoon sun, so you'll want plants that can handle a bit of heat but still provide that lush, layered look you're after. Since your planter box is about two metres long, you’ve got a great opportunity to create a mini landscape with texture, colour, and height variation.
To give your arrangement some structure, consider using a couple of feature plants with height at each end or spaced evenly, something like Cordyline 'Red Star' or Philodendron 'Xanadu'. These offer bold foliage and grow well in pots and planters. You could also consider Bird of Paradise if you’re after something tropical and you don’t mind it getting a bit taller over time.
In the middle and foreground, go for medium-height fillers such as Lomandras or Dietes.
To soften the front edge, try trailing plants like Dichondra 'Silver Falls', Lobelia, or Creeping Boobialla. They’ll spill nicely over the planter and help tie the look together.
Try repeating groupings along the length of the box to create balance and cohesion. A staggered planting approach - tall at the back, mids in the centre, and trailers in front - will give you that lush, layered effect you’re aiming for.
Allow me to tag our wonderful gardeners @mich1972 and @Noelle to see if they have some favourite plants that they would recommend.
You might also like to check out How to choose plants for your garden for some further guidance and inspiration.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
