Thankyou to all who answered my question about my sunken garden and thought all your ideas great, so will give it ago and let the garden evolve
By Redlizzie
United Kingdom 
We have designed a sunken garden with an Italian flavour and could do with some ideas on the plants that we incorporate into the scheme, I have put some cypress trees for inpact on the outside and really need some ideas for the sunken part? I have tried to upload a photo but don't seem to be able to !! thanks for any help.
8 Aug, 2011
Answers
I saw a beautiful mediterranean-style garden yesterday - small beds in a pattern, making up a square garden. Stone paved paths between them, and each section was edged with Stachys byzantina. It made such a change from box edging, and wouldn't need constant trimming. In the middle of the garden was an overflowing tallish urn - lovely planting.
Each section was filled in with pink or lavender flowers.
It was in full sun, and it must have had excellent drainage.
Italian gardens have statues, too - that could also be a focal point.
8 Aug, 2011
Yes, as Spitzhenry says, it needs an urn (or two).
8 Aug, 2011
Colourful pelargoniums tumbling out of pots, "mediterranean" herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, santolina), cistus. Lovely! :-)
8 Aug, 2011