Susanna, A standard cypress which is evergreen could work. I have two cypress or juniper looking standards which are ground covers that are grafted onto a set height, my two plants are 1mtr and 1.5mtrs respectively. They are planted in the ground right beside a concrete fishpond and they have shown no sign of disruption. The major growth is usually only in trunk size and the foliage or span of my golden variety reaches over a metre now, so it doesn't cast much shade but is spectacular all the same. I'm currently away from home but when I return tomorrow, I can attach a photo of both my standards and botanical names if you'd like. Cheers, Barbara

Breaking up the great solid block of colour a little bit helps to hide it. Next is the choice of what to plant. I'm leaning towards: ficus pumila, climbing fig, which can be pruned to hug the fence tightly, Himalyan blue bamboo, (but might sprout on other side of fence as well, so should have a 60cm deep root guard or be planted in pots) or waterhousia floribunda, weeping lilypilly, which can be pruned to a narrow, non-climbable hedge but 30cm might be about as narrow as possible. I'm just a bit scared the bamboo will move into the neighbours yard too...You also have to be careful to not plant anything with massive roots that could eventually crack your pool, and it has to be tough enough to cope with a bit of chlorine... Then, put in a dip line so you don't have to water such a narrow spot. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

Hey Paul, check out a place called ecooutdoors.com.au for inspiration. I'm not sure if they're up your way but I'm sure you could get materials shipped. They have such a beautiful store with brilliant ideas. I'd be considering a stone that is cool under foot on hot Brisbane days and at least 30mm thick. You have an oval-ish shaped pool so you might consider a small coping stone to replace the brick then move on to a larger stone instead of the dated pebble, maybe a 'cush' limestone or go a bit glam and do a herringbone pattern with the right stone. Good Luck.

I know I shouldn't do it, but I love putting bird seed out every morning for the wild birds. I scatter it over the trampoline ( not used as a trampoline any more) so that the birds have a clear view all around and can look out for cats. I even managed to coax a wild magpie to eat from my hand recently! I was worried about its sharp beak, but it was very gentle!