I like your thinking @Buttercupdays and, on closer inspection it looks like this garden is in Australia, so it's highly likely most of the plants won't be hardy in the UK anyhow.
I'm liking the magnolia and cordyline - 2 of my favourites anyway - and we already have a couple of star jasmine which may fit well.
We also loooove ferns, so finding some different types of fern that would work well here in the UK and for the right position seems a good way to go.
I'm stumped with the long strappy green leaved plants under the window. As you say, maybe a grass or sedge? But what would work well? Ideally we would have something evergreen, hardy and low maintenance. Ideally doesn't need a lot of watering either. Too much to ask? We're quite a busy family with 2 very small kids so don't have huge amounts of time for love and attention in the garden (nor the knowledge and skill)
I also quite like the fanned leaves just past the window on the right side - almost look palm-like. Any thoughts on something similar for the UK?
I have a cordyline with a short trunk and 4 branches, looks reasonably like it.
Have a look at Carex Oshimensis 'Everest'. It's green and white not plain green, but hardy and easy care. I have it in a trough under my north facing window and it is very undemanding.
Glad the Pinterest investigations worked! Under the window, as I said, Iris foetidissima. That's not necessarily what they are, but mine look like that, are evergreen, cope with dry shade etc. For ferns in small courtyards, look up Jack Wallington. I also have a list of plants - with a high proportion of evergreens - for a shady courtyard that I was given for a design assignment. I can look it up for you.
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I'm liking the magnolia and cordyline - 2 of my favourites anyway - and we already have a couple of star jasmine which may fit well.
We also loooove ferns, so finding some different types of fern that would work well here in the UK and for the right position seems a good way to go.
I'm stumped with the long strappy green leaved plants under the window. As you say, maybe a grass or sedge? But what would work well? Ideally we would have something evergreen, hardy and low maintenance. Ideally doesn't need a lot of watering either. Too much to ask? We're quite a busy family with 2 very small kids so don't have huge amounts of time for love and attention in the garden (nor the knowledge and skill)
I also quite like the fanned leaves just past the window on the right side - almost look palm-like. Any thoughts on something similar for the UK?
Under the window, as I said, Iris foetidissima. That's not necessarily what they are, but mine look like that, are evergreen, cope with dry shade etc.
For ferns in small courtyards, look up Jack Wallington. I also have a list of plants - with a high proportion of evergreens - for a shady courtyard that I was given for a design assignment. I can look it up for you.
The Iris look perfect. Thanks! I'll take a look at Jack Wallington.
If you are able to find that list of plants, that would be super useful! Thank you so much for your help!