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I live in Southern Calif, in the San Fernando Valley, where it gets hot in the summer, but mild in the winters, most of the time. We can see into our neighbor's yard, and I need to plant something that will block our view, but yet isn't two thick of a plant It will be planted in a long planter box that borders our pool. It must be able to grow fairly tall. Another problem is I would not want something that would produce seeds that would end up in the pool, or that would take over the whole planter box. Do you have any ideas for me? Thanks for any help you can give me! This is my first time here.
Nandina domestica is one that would fit the bill if you don't want something with showy flowers, and the foliage turns red in the winter. Very well behaved shrub.
Bottle brush is another and does have pretty red, fluffy flowers. Bottle brush gets fairly tall but can be kept trimmed back.
Night-blooming jessamine grows tall, but tends to sprawl when it gets tall as the long branches will flop over. But the fragrance is wonderful. You could trim the branches back if they got too long. I had one planted in Sylmar and never trimmed it. It got about 6 ft tall and about as wide.
Bougainvillea is a beautiful vine. It will require something to climb on, and it would have to be kept trimmed back as it gets huge. It has big thorns, but in the area you describe that probably wouldn't be a problem. Some of the newer cultivars are beautiful with lavender, orange or light pink flowers. The flowers, though, might be a problem with your pool so close as it does shed them profusely.
California hibiscus or blue hibiscus is a beautiful shrub with blue/purple flowers. In a park somewhere near the beach, I saw this one grow to about 12 ft and about 10 ft wide, but I think that was unusual as it appeared to be a very old plant.
In your zone you can grow tropical hibiscus, too. Some of the newer flower colors are to die for. I may break down and try them here even if I have to protect them in the winter.
How about plumbago? Grows tall, has beautiful light blue flowers most of the year.
I don't remember seeing big seed pods on any of these. They are all evergreen.
I can't think right off-hand anything that would be lacy. Maybe someone else can come up with suggestions for a lacy plant.
Yes a trellis and vine sounds good...passionfruit ...or just a fast growing vine of choice...you can put the trellis across the back and have some nice plants in front.
