Hello Taralynna,

With 2' I don't think that you can achieve what you have mentioned. Finding a plant that can fit into the space single-file may be a challenge, let alone plants that can be layered in such a tiny space.

There is an entire subset of Japanese gardens which operate within courtyards or other confined spaces, so I don't think that the wall should be viewed as such an obstacle to be disguised. Given the space and its relation to the koi pond - from the description is sounds rather small in comparison - you may be drawing attention to the wall rather than hiding it.

Thinking of the wall as a wall, it could provide a backdrop for your koi pond, with either plants or constructed elements. Keeping the planting simple and clean will direct more attention to the pond in front of it, rather than to itself.

- Audric

How about using a bamboo curtain or lattice on the wall as a backdrop behind your plantings? Nandina domestica, although somewhat slow, can provide height and evergreen foliage in a narrow space, and certainly fits the theme of a Japanese garden.

Posting photos can be very helpful in determining a direction to go, also some of the pros here will see less obvious options that haven't occurred to you that can help you get the look you want.

Here is a link that might be useful: Same question

What's on the other side of the pond? If the view is decent, then reflect it with a mirror. A strategically placed and angled outdoor mirror can provide the illusion of depth you want.

How high is the wall?

The wall is block for about 2' and then chain link on top of the block. The total height is about 7'. I am hoping to have it a little higher so I can block out the neighbor's house but still benefit from his tall trees in the background.

I will try to post a photo but not sure how to do it here. This photo is very old, from when we bought the house. I have rebuilt the pond and removed ALL of the vines and sagebrush etc. Its bare now. Sorry was to dark when I got home to take a photo.

Here is a link that might be useful: Photo

To reinforce Audric's comments regarding enclosure, I would make the wall a wall or fence to the height that you desire. Below is a link to some examples of Japanese gardens. You will see both organic (bamboo/rattan/wood) and concrete/plaster walls examples. Do some looking on the web to see what you like.
Once you have the enclosure you like, you are free to continue the design with plants.

http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/gardenstyles/japanese.html

I thought the OP might come back with a cleaned up photo of the area, but maybe not. Anyway, at the photo site I found a clean photo from another angle.

{{gwi:7526}}

Here the wall and strip in question is barely seen on the left. I think I would choose to do a frame there with a background of dark gray and raised panels of a lighter gray. Not shown, I might also add 4" horizontal timbers 16" long sticking out at the top between the panels. A vine could be intertwined along the top.

My main focus would be the water discharge into the pond. Here I would remove many of the stones from the right side and back to create a dark recessed area with slightly overhanging stone ledge at the top back.

To frame the new focal point I would use a small weeping or pendent tree to left and use a few plants with contrasting and distinctive foliage to the right.

{{gwi:7527}}