Landscape
Planting notes. Native to coastal climates, tea trees thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The tree is susceptible to root rot if the soil is too moist. Long living and quick growing, Australian Tea Tree requires little additional care once established. If you let it grow out completely, you can thin areas to emphasize its shape; otherwise it requires little pruning.
Perennial plants can also provide us with more subtle planting. Brunnera is a great plant for moist, shady situations. Its large heart-shape leaves make a good ground cover, and though it has delicate sprays of flowers similar to forget-me-nots, the foliage is the real winner. This variety is Brunnera macrophylla 'Silver Wings', whose variegated leaves seem to have an almost silver overlay. Here they contrast against spiky grasses for a tropical effect.
A boardwalk made up of straight lines adds a wood element to a modern, Japanese-inspired garden. SIDE NOTE: BEWARE OF BAMBOO! Make sure you have a species that will not spread and take over acres and acres of land. This plant can be very invasive, no matter what kind of planter you have around the roots.
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