Your last image (inspiration?) didn't post, but I think I know what you're going for and I approve. A question: are you using furniture you have or purchasing new for this? A classic round game table might be better if you aren't repurposing an existing table. Or an expandable 5' round dining table so you CAN make it bigger if needed. Having to fit existing furniture in is of course a different job than picking out new stuff!

It looks reasonably Magnolia-like to me as well, but I couldn’t ID the cultivar from this distance and without flowers. Magnolias vary a fair amount in hardiness depending on cultivar. Regardless, if you are much colder than zone 6, growing in containers doesn’t work well for most plants because the roots get much colder than in the ground when the containers are so exposed to cold air on all sides, unlike roots in the ground that have more natural insulation. where are you generally and what is your USDA growing zone? Are you planning to grow plants in a container or in the ground? The NYC area is zone 7, and potted plants there should be at least hardy down to zone 5 if they are likely to survive. So it might be one of the smaller, hardier magnolias like ‘Jane’.

Jeff is correct. Male and female tea scale, a very common pest of camellia. Anyone who has camellia plants needs to recognize the yellow splotches on the top and the white (male) and black flecks. Horticultural oils need to be applied to the underside of the foliage. Read and follow the directions on the product of your choice.

Is it the same house as on your earlier thread? For some reason I can't copy/paste your pic to here. And you said you're in the coldest part of Australia...Thredbo, Snowy Mountains? Any clues? I actually think your garden is far nicer than the others in the street. If you really want yours to look like those you describe as "new, clean", you need to rip out the whole garden and cover it with pavers/concrete and put a rose in a tub near the front door... House Pic