I'm zone 9. I have a long pond (22') that is almost right up against a block wall (which supports a chain link fence). I would like to screen out the wall/chain link fence as well as part of my neighbor's roof. The height is about 7'. The area I have to plant in is just less than a food wide. The block wall is not very steady and the pond is made from liner and I would want to make sure the plant root would not try to come up through the liner.

I considered a vine, but I cant reach a large section of the fence and grooming the vine would be difficult. I know that clematis likes to bunch up at the top of the fence, that is undesirable. I would like it to be dense and evergreen.

I am also considering podocarpus. I'm not sure about its roots.

I like the hydrangea vine but it sounds like it would get to carried away and become a maintenance issue after a few years.

I intend on having the area be a Japanese garden, but I am open to any kind of screen that would work in this area.

Thank you for your help.