When I built the simple square addition to the shade tree bed I knew I would only have 49 square feet of new planting area. When the timbers were installed the bed was backfilled with a soil mix that started with sandy loam and added lots of organic amendments. It was only then I decided to lay brick-on-sand to create a small sitting area. Once that was completed I had reduced my new shade bed to 24 square feet. The plant combinations photo I submitted shows what that small amount of bedspace produced within two years. The photo was taken in 2021.
This is a great place to sit in the evening. With the sun setting almost directly behind the patio bench... all the plants are backlit... and the overall look is magical.