This is a red flag to me: > could they be planted just a foot or two from the fence, growing only out away from it? If this is a solid fence, like stockade or board, there's a significant "rain shadow" effect that you'll need to consider. IMHO, it's almost impossible to grow anything within 2 or 3 feet of a solid fence, unless you're willing and able to provide most of the moisture yourself - and that's a lot of water. I have such a fence, and wasted a lot of cash (3 times) trying to establish rows of holly, cedar, and, finally, magnolia (M. virginiana, in my case). When I finally gave up on crowding the plants against the fence, acknowledged that this privacy screen was a very important aspect of my yard, and set aside enough space for it to do it properly, I succeeded on the 4th try, by planting everything centered at least 5' from the fence. I still had to irrigate and mulch, but it was a much more reasonable amount of water. Last, I'd be very careful placing any hollies anywhere near a pool, except ones with smooth leaves. You've only got to step on a dry leaf with bare feet once to remember it for a very long time.

The site has a couple of tall pine and ceder trees behind it so it gets filtered sun to full sun depending on where. My tomatoes are doing great and Ice Bergs look good so far. Yes concrete walls and patio, but I think with the trees it should not get too too hot. This will be my first summer so we will see. The area is on the north side but the beds face south and east. THe previous owners installed eye hooks all around the wall. I have put up garden string for the vines to climb on. I hope it is strong enough. I love the ideas of the geraniums, will have to look for them. Will they be messy?

I have a very tall podocarpus gracilior hedge around our pool on three sides which I affectionately refer to Hedgezilla. Yes, it can get big, but to keep it under control in a small, tight suburban setting as ours is, it becomes a maintenance nightmare which I've delegated to a very expensive tree-trimming company. Yes, this plant doesn't break or lift concrete or create oodles of litter, doesn't have thorns and is disease- and pest-free, and never needs water once established. (Ours has been in since the early 90s.) But, it's boring. Boring. BORING. Worst of all, it doesn't provide any wildlife benefits or visual interest. I hate it. It's the bane of my existence. I've decided to gradually replace it with a selection of plants that will be more natural looking, provide some wildlife benefits, and won't require a heavy-handed, man-made intervention on a regular basis.

A few weeks ago there was a good thread on this very subject. A lot of goo d suggestions there. Take a look and see if it helps you. http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1794778/what-tree-to-plant-against-pool-no-palms?n=30 Also in the Western Garden Book, there's a section in the front with a list of plants suitable for around the pool. If you don't have this book, I'd highly suggest it. However, don't buy the latest edition. For some reason they though it was a good idea to not cross reference plants by common names in that edition, which is a stupid idea. Instead get the 2001 edition. It's available on Amazon as a used book. http://www.amazon.com/Sunset-Western-Garden-Flexibind-Flexi/dp/0376039132?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00