Jenn: I am in SoCal and have a spanish style home with an arcade, also, but mine faces north. I had a Dracaena by my front door for years until it grew too tall. Then it went to the backyard until it grew too tall for the overhang by the back door. I think that is a perfect choice for your (and mine) architecture. I hate to get rid of these "old friends", so I had to put it in a hidden corner. I also had what I think is called Dumb Cane under my porch light. It has now grown too large and is in my hidden corner. I have a very large Mother-in-law's tongue by the front door which has bloomed once in 12 years. It has the most delightful fragrance. It compliments the architecture, also.

Delina, We our elevation is ~3000'. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective) this year we didn't get any snow -- lots of hail, but no snow. Last year we got about a foot in late January/early Febrluary which stuck for about a month. Our winter temperatures are normally mid 20s, which is quite a contrast from our summer temps of 90 degrees plus. Additionally, we get quite a lot of rain 60"-70" per season mostly in the late winter/early spring. The soil is in large part decomposing granite; so it drains well. I am able to grow Nerines, crinum, Amaryllis Belladonna, Kniphofia, and Melianthus -- the melianthus, when in bloom, attracts the hummers from miles around :-) I planted watsonia last year, which seems to be doing quite well, but with this being an atypical winter season, they really haven't been tested for hardiness yet. I've ordered (but have not yet received) ixia, Sparaxis, Babiana, Watsonia, and Homerus collinia -- great minds think alike! Thanx for your suggestions. George, I'll have to whip out my high country gardens catalog. For some reason, I didn't think of looking through their catalog (even though I know they specialize in xeriscape plants). Excellent suggestion! You've made suggestions of plants (and nurseries) that I haven't considered -- thank you. It's been a blast surfing the net to try to find plants from around the world that will beautify my garden. For anyone who may be following this thread for plant ideas in their own gardens, the plants that I grow (and do well in my garden) from George's suggested list of plants are: lavender, rosemary thyme, sage, ceanothus and bottle brush plants. Thanx to all for your wonderful suggestions!

Perhaps you could have a trip to Mount Annas(Correct Name?) which I beleive has native plants from all over and discover what they do with the WA natives. I thought Kangaroo paw like it a bit damp and sandy. We had a man from Strathmerton,Vic.speak at APS the other night who ripped up his clay fairly deeply, mulched, hilled and swailed, and had good results. Yes it has to do with microclimate and soil . Research to learn about the plants' natural habitat. After all some WA plants do not grow in sand. Don Burke has a good native garden. But Mount Annas National gardens would be your best bet.

Sue - ok - if no kids playing and you want a native bush look then you might want to go for some taller small trees or large shrubs at the back, and have some smaller pretty things underneath. It's hard to explain - but if you can imagine a bush setting with trees and undergrowth. Being from WA - I am most familiar with WA natives - but plants which will give you a beautiful red and white can include the eucalyptus torquata (grows to about 4 to 5 m) and has sparse shade - not too dense so things will grow underneath. Silver princess is another eucalyptus which has a weeping growth and the most beautiful red flowers with silvery bits on the buds. I have three dwarf euc. ficifolia in my front yard - the grafted ones "Summer beauty" etc - and they are gorgeous as well. They will only get to about 4 m. For some reason, odd numbers always look better - so you could plant maybe three trees across the seven metre span, and under plant with a mix of smaller plants. If you want to screen a wall, then I would plant densely at the back with taller shrubs - but if there is no wall, and you want it to look visually attractive from both the house and the outside, then you may want to just whack the 3 trees in the middle of the bed. For bush look planting, I would suggest repeating a lot of one type of plant for the undergrowth - in the natural bush there is actually not of a heck of a lot of variety in a small area - so you may want to either use a native grass, kangaroo paws, native irises or similar as your repeat plant. Also, if possible, try to avoid planting in straight lines, try to avoid having straight lined garden beds (curves are much nicer on the eye). Mulch with wood chips/ tree mulch. Plants that you may want to try for undergrowth - would include : * eriostemon (comes in pinks and whites - star like flowers), * correas (native fuschia - fuschia like flowers which come in orange/red, red and green, white), * croweas (star like flowers comes in purplish red, pinks, whites), * grevilleas - of all varieties - birds just adore them, There are so many other plants - I think all you can do is go out to a good native nursery near by and buy whatever you think is pretty. Not very technical, I know, but it's kind of what I do. Zanthorrea.com.au is a native nursery in Perth and on its website they have a plant guide - it tells you the conditions the plants grow in (eg shade, dry, wet) and also the height and width. I have found it very helpful. Floraforfauna.com.au is also very worthwhile to visit. I am sure others on this site will give you their tips on what to plant and what designs have worked for them. I have planted so many plants and love them all - so it is hard for me to pick favourites !!