We have that same issue and have succesfully grown bamboo ( gracilis variety) - we do not even have a metre width

We have the same set up. Planted a hedge of tough Lilly pilly and something called fettuccine plant for low texture. Planted a year ago and all well.

Spray paint the fence in Colorbond "monument" grey and plant colourful shrubs in front with artwork or mirror etc on the fence. I'd suggest golden canes like we have to hide the neighbours but not sure you'd have the width. Bamboo and lilly silly drop leaves and fluffy bits when in flower.

I have a murraya hedge near our pool and it's great. It grows 2m high to cover that fence. It will drop leaves in the pool when you hedge it but that's only once a month in summer....and it's when YOU decide to hedge it. It's a once off ....you scoop leaves out of the pool 6 times a year. Good Luck

another idea would be to clad that fence in something attractive like bamboo pole fencing..... and then plant super sun tough plants in front of it. Xanadu, full sun Cordylines, By the looks of it, I think you need to add compost and organic matter to that garden bed first, before replanting, to help retain moisture and give plants a better chance. Don't forgot tough ground covers too as they will help keep the soil cool.

Amen kapalmer74. Best advice on the page. I don't know about murraya but enriching the soil is essential. Cordylines, while not everyones cup of tea, are very tough, and protecting the soil with mulch and tough, low plantings is essential. For tough i can never go past Myoporum sp. but they may spread too far toward the water. They are very prunable though.

OH! I just searched Murraya. We have one, my Grandma planted it, and I hate it. Very prone to scale and ugly.

Good luck.

Any sort of plants would be great but most will still flower so you will get spent flowers into the pool ie: vine but to be honest, you don't have enough room to accomodate a path and plants actually in the ground.

I would suggest you get some really nice large pots and pot up the palms currently in the ground, definitely use some stone mulch and not only will it be low maintenence but will still have greenery and a wow factor.

I'd use river stones of mixed sizes, they do look good around water.

We have recently used river stones. I have become a fan.

7weed1 - have you seen Murraya hedged? I've never had a problem with scale in 3 years....but scale gets onto my guava and lemon trees....so not sure if you actually have a Murraya. Mock orange plan yeah?

Thank you so much everyone for your suggestions.

I fully understand the replenishing of the soil, the image does look bad I admit, we have a lot of doves, and they have started a bird seed forest in the garden and my husband couldnt wait for the Zero to work so he wippersnippered !!

Thank you for the suggestions of planting but Im not keen on the bamboo and we already have a hedge of murrayas against the back fence. We did have a standard murraya and it caused a lot of mess and I think it died as well

The pots on the river pebbles sounds like a good idea - Should I get blue pots to match the pool tile or more natural colour?

I love the image from Secret Gardens above

Thank you all again

I add my vote for pots. Will give you instant height.

I would paint the fence in Dulux monument as suggested. I would also add the pots with the mother in laws tongues. I would also add some bright screens and perhaps lay artificial turf in the garden bed to give the green look. That also provides access for walking on. I have attached a photo of my fence I recently painted in Monument, the turf is artificial. Also is a photo of a laser cut screen in a very bright yellow. The dark fence would make the yellow screen stand out and provide visual interest. It is a bit dark this photo, but this could be fantastic. I also have red ones in a different design, but the yellow is my favourite. The screens never need tone painted.
Any tree will drop leaves and will be a pest in a small area. In fact it is often recommended to plant deciduous near a pool as at least you know when the leaves will drop.

A picture of the screen in the light.

Paint the fence in medium grey, with a lighter grey for the lattice, then add pots and up lights for a stunning decorative effect.

You could always try bamboo, it seems to survive everything and helps create a great tropical feel.

Hi again, If you watch Better Homes and Garden tonight (or their website) they had a segment on pool areas. Although she was in Cairns it looked wonderful full of colour with bromeliads and dracaenas. They don't need much room.

Try Lily Pily 'Backyard Bliss'. We are about to plant it along the side of our pool. The tag specifically says it is good around pools. It doesn't have a berry like other varieties which means you also avoid staining the pool.

I would love to hear how you go with this... We are in similar situation.
I've looked at star jasmine or happy wanderer type vines (cope with full sun and grow quick with little care/fuss)...
I like bamboo but leaf drop could be big issue.
We've even looked at vertical garden (succulents to reduce workload and weight) and mix of screens.
I'm keen to hear updates...

I agree that the fence needs painting in grey, urban tones. We also have exactly the same situation and have planted Bird oParadise and in the front and alternating we planted Agarves and all are thriving . Placed pebbles all over garden to finish off.

bamboo fence panels could be the solution. easy to install and cam make a great impact to area not to mention the extra privacy if installing higher panels.

This is what we did in a narrow bed of about 50cm. That's jasmine and - I believe - tea tree bushes below

A great option is Artificial Plants. Even if it's by itself like this photo here.

Or you combine it with Laser Cut screens like the photo here. The best thing is, they won't drop leaves into your pool or fade in the sun. They even look great all year round.

If you want to see some options please get in touch at sales@designerverticalgardens.com.au or have a look at our website designerverticalgardens.com.au

Your problem is the heat generated by the fence and the pool and path. Anything you plant will have to be super tough. All plants loose and replace their leaves. Evergreen drop some leaves all the time and deciduous once a year. Adding pebbles will only reflect more heat and is becoming a dated look along with the cordylines. I'm not sure of your climate but a bullet proof evergreen plant that will cover the fence and take sun, drought and frost is the nandina domestica. Upright growing but no pruning required. There are new varieties of this plant but this one is just the right height to cover the fence. If you get cold weather in winter you will also get autumn colour. Will sucker from the bottom to fill the gap but not a garden thug. Has berries but because of the upright habit should fall into the garden bed. Sometimes called sacred bamboo but not a bamboo.

We have planted star jasmine near our pool.. This is pic when they were first planted. They've done really well so I've added 5 more plants in the gaps. Apparently star jasmine tolerates chlorinated/salt water well and ours are really healthy.

Hi Joanna Feldon hows ut goong with the star jasmine and the pool? any issues? I want to do the same but wary of the possible fower fall out