you could put a simple screen in the corner to hide the pumps. the "Improvements" catalog has some nice screens. You certainly need some plants to screen them, and in those planting areas. You could also paint your "boring wall" to add some color and interest. You say you have planted many things without success. What things? Are you planting native and adapted plants, or are you trying to plant east coast things which don't do well in the climate. What do you think is causing your failures? Not a good watering system? Is there caliche under there? what? You might ask for some plant recommendations here in the Arizona Gardening forum. YV, I think "steel cactus" is . . . exactly that. Garden art made of steel in the shape of a cactus -- saguaro I presume. Lots of steel garden art in the desert.

We had to have a retaining wall on two sides of our pool due to the the slope of our yard. At first I was envisioning the pool flat and level with the ground on all side. However, I love the wall now. It's a good place for people to sit as well. Also, I think the diving board next to the sidewalk would be fine.

zone is not enough ... we need a location.. big city name ... do you know your soil??? what direction does the front door face ... are the only shade trees the one on the left .... if there is clear sky above.. im not sure i would even call this part shade .. if this is a winter pic.. do you have a summer pic to see such?? winner winner chicken dinner is done.. more tomorrow ken

Something tall and skinny for passing boats or passing gators? How about the common house plant False Aralia, Plerandra elegantissima. The other aralias that are not the genus aralia either that are worth looking into are Polyscias fruticosa cultivars. I would not plant them as a hedge, only as vertical accent in the bromeliads. This may be more a tropical look than modern. Tropical Mawdernn