I, too, like the idea of the fence being painted in Monument, or something similar. You look like you live in either in the tropics or subtropics, judging by the photos. Apart from looking attractive, you also want to the plants to have low leaf drop, be fairly hardy, not have an invasive root system, be reasonably low maintenance and sun tolerant (the pool area looks very hot and sunny, and you didn't mention if the palms next door provide any shade during the day). Anyway, here is my 5 cents worth: native pigface "Aussie Rambler"; blue fescue; bromeliad Neoregelia sheba; philodendron Xandadu; sun-tolerant cordyline species; dwarf ixora; dwarf frangipani. Bambino bougs also look lovely near a pool. You'll be picking up the old bracts as they drop but they look so gorgeous its worth it. Touch of Class have recently introduced some beautiful new varieties of dwarf oleanders (we have "Isabella"). Oleanders have been given a really bad rap about their toxicity, and yes, they are poisonous, however, they have never caused a human fatality in Australia and are no more toxic than many other plants we put in our home gardens. Apparently, they are a more of a threat to livestock who seem to eat them despite their bitter taste. Having said that, I wouldn't use them if you have young children or pets that like to chew everything. You'll have noticed that most of the plants I have suggested are of the "dwarf" variety. This is so the plants don't become too big for the pool area, and to help keep maintenance down. A self-cleaning palm like the golden cane, foxtail or Alexander could provide some overhead shade, but only if they were planted at least 1.5m away from the pool (preferably more). I would also be mulching with stones to minimise it ending up in the pool on windy or rainy days. Although I love natives, I have not suggested them, other than the pigface, to keep maintenance and leaf drop to a minimum.

Palms will wreck all the plumbing around the pool.roots are small but will crack all the right angle joints which cost less than $3,but there is lotsa digging to expose the problem.If you've got a lazy $2000 go ahead n put palms in

Even better than Monument is an old Bristol colour 'Treacle' one of the best backdrop colours on boundaries for plants (presuming you are re-building the fence in timber paling).

Palms are a good borrowed landscape feature so provide seamless break by securing top to bottom steel reinforcing mesh on painted fence and planting Trachelospermum jasminoides (Chinese Star Jasmine) at 1m spacings at base of fence. Train over mesh. This is a tough climber that you can train to provide top to bottom growth on a fence in full sun or shade. ('Treacle' still a worthy application for background, particularly in short term.)

Plant Liriope 'Evergreen Giant' to fill garden bed for soft resilient border. Allow 1 per 50cm spacing. For height it would be good to see the pool book ended with height eg palms as above or Frangipanni.

Pool fences in Black give best result - paint or replace.

Jampea_uk might have to learn to love the palms along the fence line - I can't see the owners taking them out because their neighbours have decided to put in a pool. Besides which, they look to be all golden canes along the fence - their fronds don't get big or heavy like the bigger palms ie. foxtail or the dreaded cocos. We have golden cane palms and the local bats show no interest in them whatsoever, only the lorikeets, pied currawongs and fig birds when the palms are fruiting. Having said that, the palm's flowers and nuts do make a hell of a mess when they drop. If this turns out to be an issue, maybe the neighbours will let jampea-uk prune the flowers near the fence line off when they make an appearance.

Kerrie , at no time did I suggest asking the owner to remove them , besides which , you most likely would ruin a neighbours friendship ! Having said that , I would never try to trim anything of that height , Safety is important around hard surfaces too .

.if my neighbour wishes to grow something it is not anyone elses place to say if it's suitable or not . We all build around each other .

I would never instruct my neighbours on what to grow in their gardens . Having said that , perhaps a tall , strong but shallow pergola , maybe 1-2 metres in depth , paved area under each in the same pavers she is using and three hip height pots with suitable plants , some of which you suggested would be lovely .

It looks like an exposed area and the sun can still be hot even if you are in the pool . perhaps even a non deciduous vine would certainly soften the whole area could be trained up the posts .

Pools can be harsh in the summer with all the reflected heat . It just might look nice AND aid in privacy whilst you enjoy your outdoors .

Jampea_uk , if you do go with say , hip high pots you could use Dracenas, there are variegated leaf plants available if you don't want plain green (!) , and I would under plant in the same pot a sebum to your taste to grow over to edge and hang down the side of the pot . These dracenas look tropical , don't fruit or drop anything , can cope with little very little water . They will take kids and toys easily too . I have a " silver falls" dichondria planted under one and mine and it looks fantastic .

i sincerely wish many happy hours of pool enjoyment . Paula

Hey jampea_uk have you considered glass pool fencing?

Also, it may be a useful idea to consider how shade factor comes into it when designing your pool area. Perhaps some shade sails or an umbrella/gazebo? Just a thought!

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