PLANTING OPTIONS
MEDIUM-HEIGHT SCREEN FOR BOUNDARIES
Try Tibouchina granulosa; Michelia figo, Michelia gracipes or other Michelia varieties such as ‘Fairy Blush’, ‘Fairy Cream’ or ‘Bubbles’; golden akeake (Olearia paniculata); olives; Ficus macrocarpa var. hillii.
FRUIT TREES
Give each tree plenty of space and ensure soil is fertile and well drained. For a small garden 2-3 trees is enough. Try nectarine, peach, guava, plum, citrus (lime, mandarin, lemon), Ballerina apples or avocado.
BEE-ATTRACTING SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS
Try lavender, catmint, rosemary, borage, salvia, thyme, chives, sage, hebe, coneflower (Echinacea), rengarenga lily (Arthropodium cirratum), helenium, heliotrope, manuka, California lilac (Ceanothus).
ROBUST, LOW HEDGE TO EDGE GARDEN BEDS
Try dwarf bottlebrush (Callistemon ‘Little John’), Murraya paniculata, Korean box (Buxus microphylla ‘Green Gem’), corokia varieties.
NOTE Most of the plants listed here are suitable for the conditions of this particular site, which is warm and sheltered. These plant suggestions are a guide only. Check them out at your local nursery and ask about their growth rate, height and spread, and whether they’re suitable for your garden’s conditions.