Planting will hide it, whether in front or attached to lattice and because it is a natural and dark colour it will go unnoticed in the shade of the planting. If you render or paint it, you will then have to maintain the paint, a problem if you do plant in front. Further if you want it to recede the colour you paint it will need to be dark, much as it already is. Michael

I agree with tarotlova, the brick wall looks good as is. To soften the overall look you could make a statement feature of the wall, place some citrus trees in pots (dwarf variety), lemons, limes etc. in front. No maintenance required and fruit from the tree.

You can plant pitostriums (I can never remember the spelling) (finer leaf ones) - pretty hardy - and then you will be able to see the dark colour behind with the plant in front, and this will make the plant colour pop with the colour behind - you can trim them like a hedge and have plantings in front.

Alternative could try climbing fig - it won't damage the mortar and you trim it with hedger - not hard to maintain - you can easily pull it down and like I said won't damage the brick & mortar work.

Hi Shiona, I think putting in a couple of trees is a great idea. They would distract your eyes from all that brick without hiding it completely. Olive trees thrive in hot, sunny conditions and would look lovely underplanted with succulents. If you don't want them to grow too tall, you can control their height by "lollipopping" them. Pomegranate or lemon trees would be perfect too - both of them love the sun. I don't think you need to put them in pots, just plant them out from the wall a bit and under-prune (cut off the lower branches) so that whatever is planted underneath gets sufficient light. Other plants that would grow well are tough herbs like thyme and rosemary (especially the prostrate kind if you go ahead with the rock garden). Good luck.

A traditional or modern water feature in the middle, lattice on both sides to balance it with some olive or citrus trees espalier or wall garden.

Something like silver birch trees don't take up too much room but will provide some height and interest. Personally I pick out natives, after asking local garden centres for those which are natural to my area. I've used black mondo grass across the front of my walls with purple fountain grass behind it. The fountain grass really takes the summer heat, doesn't need much water and self-seeds. It's grown slightly taller than me after a few years.

I have, what I call a 'survival of the fittest' garden. Over the years, I've experimented with all sorts of plants. Eventually, only those that survive with little help, and almost no extraneous watering, get to stay. One of the key things I did when planting out my garden was to dig down into the soil and lay a mat of used, natural-blend carpet underlay (not the more synthetic types used these days). Just ask someone getting rid of their old carpet- it's easy to come across. Above the carpet underlay I added water crystals, then put the soil back on top. After the gardens have been established, I haven't need to get the hose out since. I do have lots of succulents around the place, some native plants and ornamental grasses.

I hope this helps.

I would bag the wall a complimentary colour to the guttering, choose. A big pot and place it on a raised plinth in the centre and build up a succulent garden around it or a mass planting of smaller bushy plants as advised by bunnings that like the hot wall. Bagging it a lighter colour will cut down the heat factor

If you're after small trees or large shrubs go to your local nursery or garden centre with the photo and they'll be able to suggest plants appropriate for the aspect and your climate.

A garden centre may also sells water features and screens.

Ask to speak to a horticulturist or even a design consultant if they have one.

Most fruit trees need sun. I would put one of those.

Here's a good idea, better than all the other ideas, pick me!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/awesoman/67528823

For such a hot wall, go for the mediterranean look: render with a warm Tuscan colour that will fade with time, and pop in some olive trees, conifers or palms, with small succulents on the ground.