Thanks for that pic of the Lady Banks. We had considered that also. The only reason we are reluctant to go that route is the HOA makes it so your plants have to be exclusively on your side of the fence, so I was worried about containment and I would not be able to grow them on the fence, I would have to put up some sort of trellis to for them to climb up a few feet from the white picket "barrier" fence. They almost treat the fence as an easement of sorts, because some have put up traditional block walls for privacy but they have to be about 3 feet behind the white picket fence. I like the Arizona Cypress, but on the flip side it might be a little too massive. There is a place down the road that has something that seems like it would work well, and it very well might be Arizona Cypress... they look like Italian Cypress but not in the slender spires, but much fatter and pyramidal. What throws me off is some of the pictures I've seen online show a more grey color tree with a "branchy" (not very dense) look, and some show them as green like Italian Cypress with a much more dense fill to them like Italian Cypress. So I'm not sure what the more appropriate examples or if some pics are even misidentified. I will investigate it further though. The Sumac is a nice tree and I would not be surprised if we added a couple at some point (the backyard area has over 1/2 acre that basically consists of grass and rock, no trees or bushes). To create a true barrier from the ground up I think I need more of a "bushy" option that covers all the way to ground level. Thanks for all the ideas so far. I am going to pull the trigger in about a week once, and leave time for any other suggestions. Right now I'm leaning towards the Japanese Privets (any other good privet for AZ?). The AZ Cypress is also on the short list if it is what I have seen at a nearby property like I described above. Thanks again!

How about spirea bush? They get up to no more than 4' in height, can be dense enough to screen, and even get some flowers. They like full sun, too. They're hardy for zones 4-8 or so, and are pretty much maintenance-free. I'd opt for summer blooming varieties in the sun. Golden Princess is a pretty chartreuse with mid-summer pinky-purple blooms that gets to just about the height you're looking for, or at least mine are maybe about 3.5'. I've got a pair by my patio that look really nice. Here is a link that might be useful: Descriptions of some varieties of Spirea

Thank you so much for all your suggestions! linda: I don't know how to post pictures but I'll ask my kids to help me with that! I thought it should be portable because building dept. regulations prohibit a permanent fence over 6 feet. inspectorjoe: the no-peek privacy screen you suggested looks great and the website said they make custom sizes so I called but they said they can only customize the length, not the height. They said if I try to raise it higher it will be unstable. But that would have been perfect! Tina: unfortunately, I don't think I would be able to mount the shade sails. And my yard is pretty small so I'm afraid the sails might be overpowering. beachdiva: I didn't realize there are tall trees with such small "footprints" so I will look into the Italian cyprus. I was concerned about the roots of the tree growing into the pool. On one side of the pool we have only about 2 feet between the fence and the edge of the lid for the automated pool cover. Tagbrod and Boogerhead: lol Thank you all for your help! We just put in the pool and I hope I will soon be knowledgable enough to help others on this forum. You are all so kind.

Hi Kate, You don't say if you are heavily overlooked, backing on to forests or surrounded by nothing by fields which is important to know. A wall of conifers will definitely give you privacy but it will also serve to highlight the borders of your property and to make you feel boxed in, particular at mature size. That's ok, if that is what you are going for and there are many beautiful examples of private spaces with walls of arborvitae used for privacy. This example feels lush and well planned and is quite beautiful but is does mix other plants with different textures and shapes so that your eye doesn't go right to the hedge. This is a smaller scale example of the same idea. The cedars are used as a border which is softened by the border of hydrangeas. It provides privacy for the home owners but also provide "highs and lows" in the backyard. Import to note that both pictures have something beyond the wall of cedars that help the backdrop of the yard stops it from feeling closed in. Very simple application, this time the cedars are spaced out, reducing privacy but allowing light and views beyond in. There are other trees included in the design in a less formal way but with different textures and colours in the background. You could also mix it up with different materials and I always go to privacy screens for that type of option because they come in so many different variations and they can be put almost anywhere. They can be modern or traditional, wood or metal or a tall rectangular planter with grasses. Very versatile. You can mix it up. But if you love your space, there are no wrong decisions. Enjoy.