I had the same problem with my lemon tree. By the time I found out, that watering has to be done from above- directly on the soil- it was too late. Also always empty excess water from the tray, because it will rot the roots. Good luck!

Having given it far too much thought, what I reckon you want is small trees with open canopies that don't shade the office too much. Birches would be fine, except that they grow too quickly. I started thinking of perhaps Prunus 'Amanogawa' (or Malus 'Van Eseltine') in the centre, with ten-year-old Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana' whose vivid green and shell-like swirls would make a superb contrast with the vertical, orangey wall - but you'd have to wait for them to make the impact. My best suggestion, though, is Acer griseum in the centre, whose peeling bark colours would blend perfectly with the wood walls but also soften them - its vivid autumn colours would give great anticipation through the summer. On the outsides, I'd have Eucalyptus niphophila, which also has striking bark, and its evergreen, sickle-shaped blue leaves would really complement and soften the office wall, and break up the strong edge all year round. You could plant under all three trees as neither species casts a heavy shade. Or, if you want to create a rhythm, stick with three 'Snow Gums'; but I quite like the idea of the 'Paperbark Maple' softening the centre of the double doors and bridging that big hole in the vertical planking. If you do this, please post a photo in ten years' time !

Black front door, inside side pink... that gets my vote :-) There are door bells that have a camera which connects to your phone and it will video (and save if you opt for that, costs a little bit of money each year) and let you know whether there’s someone at the door, even if they don’t ring the bell. We have one. I can see and talk to the people who are on my driveway even when I’m not at home. They are not hugely expensive. But its style is not in keeping with the style of your house, so possibly not for you. Just thought I’d mention it anyway. You can define the area that it needs to ‘guard’. Not sure how small you can set it to though. Might get a bit annoying if it tells you every time someone walks by the house ;-) Ours is a Ring. Works well as long as you’ve got a good internet connection.

Hi Sonia. It’s the plant with a name that I can never spell...but I’ll have a go.... tatrapanax papyfirus ‘Rex’ ???? Chinese rice paper plant. Or aka The Triffid! That’s easier to remember. 😉. Apparently they can send out suckers from the roots several meters away so my neighbours might get a few babies in years to come. Can’t argue tho, it’s a fab jungly looking plant. Here’s the proud mum!