Developing a landscape plan for this small residential complex on the north coast really got us thinking.  How could we design low-cost, low-maintenance and attractive gardens on this sloping site for the future tenants to enjoy whilst staying true to our values? The plant selection needed to be appropriate for the coastal environment. It also had to help stabilise the banks above the units, whilst taking up as little space above and below ground on the easement running through the rear gardens. A selection of indigenous plants and native cultivars tolerant of these growing conditions were selected to attract bees, birds, and butterflies, whilst providing seasonal interest to the human inhabitants. This mix of groundcovers, grasses, shrubs, and trees also provide habitat for a range of beneficial insects. The garden’s shrub layer creates flower mass to get as much pollen and nectar into the landscape to attract and retain these beneficial insects.