First thing you need to do is dig out whatever dirt is in there right now because I guarantee it is construction fill full of concrete dust and rocks. Those concrete boxes are going to act like ovens in the summer and bathtubs in the winter if you don’t have perfect drainage. Make sure there are weep holes at the bottom so water can escape, and backfill it with a high-quality potting mix, not just topsoil, or your plants will rot out in a month.
Since you are in Melbourne which is roughly equivalent to our USDA Zone 9 or 10, you have the perfect climate for architectural succulents that fit this modern look. I just generated a planting plan for a client with similar rendered boxes and we went with a structural focal point like an Agave attenuata or a Cordyline in the center, and underplanted it with Dichondra Silver Falls. The silver foliage spills over the grey render and softens those sharp corners beautifully.
If you want to stick to locals, Kangaroo Paws would look incredible here and they love the heat that’s going to reflect off that driveway. Just don’t mix too many different things in there. In small geometric planters like this, a single species or a simple two-plant combo always looks more high-end than a mixed cottage garden look.
Lady_Penrhyn1
Natives. Do lots of natives. Hardy, drought resistant and the native bees will thank you.
2 Comments
First thing you need to do is dig out whatever dirt is in there right now because I guarantee it is construction fill full of concrete dust and rocks. Those concrete boxes are going to act like ovens in the summer and bathtubs in the winter if you don’t have perfect drainage. Make sure there are weep holes at the bottom so water can escape, and backfill it with a high-quality potting mix, not just topsoil, or your plants will rot out in a month.
Since you are in Melbourne which is roughly equivalent to our USDA Zone 9 or 10, you have the perfect climate for architectural succulents that fit this modern look. I just generated a planting plan for a client with similar rendered boxes and we went with a structural focal point like an Agave attenuata or a Cordyline in the center, and underplanted it with Dichondra Silver Falls. The silver foliage spills over the grey render and softens those sharp corners beautifully.
If you want to stick to locals, Kangaroo Paws would look incredible here and they love the heat that’s going to reflect off that driveway. Just don’t mix too many different things in there. In small geometric planters like this, a single species or a simple two-plant combo always looks more high-end than a mixed cottage garden look.
Natives. Do lots of natives. Hardy, drought resistant and the native bees will thank you.