I agree with Fiona about the Ficus - they have shocking root systems and should never be used near pools, houses etc. The width of your retaining wall from the photo looks really narrow, so you are going to have trouble growing most things in there; even the Pittosporums will eventually cause structural damage to the walls. The width of any garden bed should be ideally 1.5 metres at least for proper root establishment. This seems to be hard for most people to understand, but the bigger the plant, the wider the root system. So either widen the retaining wall or you will need to keep the plant lower. The pears mentioned also will never work. 5 years is the testing time of a good garden. When first planted they can look great, but they often break down as they grow. The Ficus and Pears' root systems will keep on expanding after the 5 year period with the Ficus having surface roots that cause massive damage to paving, concrete etc. Google it! And I have seen first hand the damage done by another Landscaper's work, based on inexperience. Get professional advice if in doubt - it is worth it if you get a good one. Alison

Hey Merlins Lillipilli is always effective, always green, always grows. Easy to source aswell. Also, had a lot of success with the Screenmaster Pittosporum. Which loves full sun and well drained soils, perfect for the pool area with a lot of sun reflection and heat etc. Screenmaster has more of a modern look than the lilies too. Thanks Paul

Hi Ebony, This is a very interesting challenge! Slender Weavers Bamboo is good, however usually to get height in a screening plant, it will also need to spread. To get the height you need to block the view of the townhouse, I think it will be growing too wide within the laneway. Also, planting in the laneway could prove problematic. I'm assuming this is Council land and therefore they could come along at any time and remove what you have planted (although it doesn't look like much maintenance is performed by Council). You could also face the wrath of your neighbours, or other local residents who might use the lane and feel that you shouldn't be planting there. You would be best to find a solution within your boundary. You could try and extend the rear fence with wires or lattice and plant a climber or I really like the previous suggestion of planting climbers to the verandah posts and block the distant views from on the verandah. Good luck with this challenge!

Thanks bigreader. I will definitely seek advice from a nursery. Whatever we decide will be a big outlay so we need to get it right. The current bamboo is about 12 years old and you can see the rejuvenated shoots in the photo (very dry because we have stopped watering). It was cut back to soil level after Sydney bushfires and never the same. The pots are full of roots and I am pretty sure we will need to throw them out with the bamboo and start again, My husband is fed up with the leaves in the pool - that's why I am looking for fresh ideas.