You'll have that place looking great in a few short months. Good luck.

You need some pretty cactus and succulents that can survive in that climate. They are expensive so I would grow them in pots, so you can take them with you if necessary.

Boy, it sure looks hot and dry there! I'm on the East coast so I have no experience gardening in that type of climate. Is there any point in trying to have a lawn there? I think I'd try to move some of those stray plants that are living in the yard and group them somewhere else and then have truckloads of nice looking stone put down in the front and back. Maybe you could split the cost with your landlord. Did you post this in the gardening section?

From the inside the only way I can think of to camouflage the telephone pole is to hang 2 sets of drapes so the 2 center sections would come together and block the view of the pole. Does that make sense?

If this is a landlord situation please ensure you have your stipulations/requests/demands in the lease.

Plant some Morning Glory or another fast spreading vine in front of the wall near the pole.

There are some great sun-loving, heat tolerant flowers that will really soften up the area and are easy to grow. As long as you water them regularly.

I grow succulents indoors, but outdoors they make a space look bare. I'd do flowers. :)

I could plant another Bougainvillea (the red bush up front)in the area in front of the telephone pole. It doesn't need much water and it grows really fast. I may be able to grow a plant from cuttings. Not sure.
The lawn in the back could use some water. A Mexican palm in better shape (I think the two in front were transplanted without good dirt or watering) would do well with little water once it has been established. You should see the large plant the landlord cut down in the back because it was too close to the patio.
As far as blocking the pole from the inside besides putting mini blinds on all the windows and french doors, I will be covering the entire length of the patio with solar shades. I have 2 eight foot shades and two six foot ones. I think I will have 2 of the 8' ones on either side of the 6' one. I will have 6' one rolled partially up so the dog can go out to the yard. There are 3 support poles which are a bit over 11' apart. So 8 + 8 + 6 = 22' which means that setup would work. The solar shades not only keep the space cooler but also create an outdoor "room" of sorts. Always loved having a covered patio since I have been here.

Do morning glories like 110 or 115 degrees? The bird of paradise plants do pretty well, as does a rubber tree plant although the rubber tree seems to like the shade better. Yucca plants are good here. Roses are great too as long as you water them. There are two rose plants up front but planted too close to the door. I am moving those in the back some place.

Shades - a previous patio

Thanks so much. I will have more questions once I get in there.

The Morning Glories would do okay if they had afternoon shade, and lots of water.

I love the red bush out front, but I wouldn't add more simply because red flowers give off a warm vibe.

Pots of Rose Moss would be pretty. They're full of pastel colors. Rose Moss stays in full bloom from morning until the sun goes down, or shade hits them.

Cosmos would look great along your wall. They get to about 3 to 4 feet tall and love the sun. The yellow Cosmos are the sturdiest. They're easy to plant from seed. They'll give you height and lots of color.

The spot in front of the telephone looks to have all day sun as it faces south and there are no nearby trees.
Would Cosmos look good with say, sunflowers behind them and some other sun loving flowers or plants mixed in? I used to have Portulaca, Rose Moss, and do like the look a lot. I think I over watered them by placing them in in a tomato plant. I really do want to get some tomato plants soon.

Thanks for all the great advice!