The planters look VERY small. I think they are window containers for annuals. If they are 10" deep, you can only plant something small that will live for one season (like marigolds). Definitely not a rose and nothing shrubby. And be prepared to water constantly, perhaps twice a day in the summer.

If you want a rose or a perennial vine, you need to install proper planters (not movable containers). You need something like this (at least):

Here's a link to vines that will work for you (in larger planters):

https://www.amwua.org/plant-category/vine

We had great luck with star jasmine

@JoJo (Nevada 9A)

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah these planters are only about 10" deep :( I was trying to get some inexpensive, long Veradek plastic planters and this is what I could find. Also, didn't want them that high since wasn't trying to hide the trellis.

I'm thinking I may have to move to their metallic series, which are pricier of course. These are about 15" deep and a little wider too.

I am leaning towards Lady Banks Rose (white)

Veradek Metallic Series Planter

Just make sure you do research on the material used (not sure if metallic means they are metal, or just have a metallic finish). If they are made from metal, they will heat up very fast and cook the roots. If you have a nursery nearby (or even a big box store) they probably stock planters that work in your climate (and they are probably on sale now).

Also, the best container size for a rose has the volume of a half-barrel (about 26 x 26 x 18).

here's my try - plant what works inside planter, short annuals? there are vertical plants with clips, etc. ...possibly 3 per trellis, in triangle form.

roses will flower and get messy. :)

Lady banks roses are messy when they get big. We had them in our Tempe backyard. Not again. I would do Star Jasmine.

Plus it only flowers once a year in early spring. So when it drops all the flowers, you will have a carpet of dry petals a few inched deep (I'm not exaggerating). I see many homes here with that rose and it's not that interesting most of the year.

How about using the trellises to hang outdoor lights, to create some nice ambiance for your evening pool parties?

I don't think the size of the Planters is all that small. I know people are used to having large pots but I have and am growing clematis, mandevilla in 10 and 12“ containers, which are way smaller than what you have.

The OP is in the Southwest desert. Trust me, non-desert plants have a really hard time staying alive here when planted in containers, their roots cooking in the sun and the water evaporating instantly.

Pink Mandevilla.

OK, my bad.

Thanks everyone for their insights!

@JoJo (Nevada 9A) yeah then that's a hard no on the metallic planters. Definitely metal and will cook the roots like you said in the summer, overlooked that and was just focused on how good they look.

@cubby14 I'm leaning toward Star Jasmine now. They do okay in our summers and winters? Nothing over the top messy? Everyone is recommending Mandevilla's and they look okay but apparently, you have to cover them when it gets below 50 degrees. That's like our avg lows during our winter months.

The extension does metal planters in Tucson with no problems, but they are much bigger (think livestock watering troughs.. because that's what they are). My own garden is metal (40x40" containers). No issues. We use ollas to irrigate.

But back to the main question: star jasmine is also messy. I had a massive one. And holly cow do they smell good, if you can keep them alive, but they drop a lot of leaves per year. I can't think of a vine I'd be willing to grow so close to my pool. Have you considered a long planter of fence post cacti (or similar) instead?

I would consider the trellises as back drops and not supports. I think an ornamental grass in bigger roundish containers would look great. No flowers so no bees. They need annual grooming but look nice most of the year. Will move in a breeze, and that movement along with the different shape will provide contrast to the more rigid plants along the other fence.

Grasses are lovely. Just do your research on ornamental grasses first. A lot of them are invasive and a *major* source of wildfire issues in the desert--e.g. they were a major contributor to the insane fires in Tucson this year, and the loss of thousands of saguaros. There are some very pretty native grasses that don't present the same problems.

Star Jasmine is very messy. I have it trellised alongside our side yard fence. Would definitely not want it near a pool. Pink Mandevilla should do fine in your climate.