I'm doing Walter's Viburnum and Bahama cassia in an area that I'm using for a barrier. Low water needs, once established of course. The Viburnum can be trimmed as a tree or bush. The cassia can grow as wide as 6', but you could trim it down. Pretty flowers, great butterfly attractors, and can take the sun. And the cassia grows pretty fast.

Simpson stopper would also be good for what you want too.

Becca

Thanks, Becca! Anyone else?

For the fence issue: What about vines, so little space is taken up? Cape honeysuckle would go crazy along the fence and obscure the ugly parts and would attract butterflies and possibly hummingbirds if you're lucky. Petrea is also a beautiful obscurer of ugly fences. I would say bouganvillea, but that will go crazy if you don't keep a firm hand on it.

I think a hedge of firebush would look spectacular along that fence. Low/no maintenance other that getting it watered in early days. Attracts hummers they say.

I also love the bahama cassia suggestion since I have it and it is a butterfly magnet. Mine is not bushy however (more tall than shrubby) so it could take some pruning IMO to achieve that shape.

Bamboo of course is good (I love it and it is my hedge choice between my neighbors) but it's expensive and takes a while to achieve hedge-iness. Clumping bamboo of course never ever "running" bamboo.

And then of course ROSES!! Your sunny location would be great for roses and they even have non-thorny varieties. To get a bushy rose screen the old fashioned kinds are best because hybrid roses rarely get bushy.
If you decide to try roses get some recommendations from people in your area. They would really make a wonderful addition to that spot. I never spray mine (hybrids need spraying not the old-fashioned kinds) so mine are low maintenance.

Denise

Bamboo of course is good (I love it and it is my hedge choice between my neighbors) but it's expensive and takes a while to achieve hedge-iness. Clumping bamboo of course never ever "running" bamboo.

Look at my pictures half way down this post, you could pick a shorter variety.

Tom

Hi,
I am in Zone 9b too, along my drive way, I have African Irises. They make a nice border. Butterfly bushes of any color would block an unsightly area. You can always grow Jasmine up and along the fence. Mona Lavender is a great performer in my yard. It grows to be a small shrub and it likes part shade. Beach Daisy makes a great ground cover and will quickly cover up unsightly areas, is drought tolerant, too. Good luck with your yard.

I'd think twice before planting anything that will be growing ON the fence, since it looks like it belongs to the neighboring house.

This is not what you asked for, but it is what I would do about that ugly view, first: Spend $30 on a paint color I would like to look at, and paint that fence as soon as the owner moves out. Even if someone does move in, they probably won't repaint a well painted fence.
"(these neighbors just moved out and are unable to short-sell their house, so it's likely going to be vacant for a VERY long time and get VERY ugly...)"

Tom, every time I see the photos of your bamboo, I drool. That looks so cool and inviting. Great way to get separation from the house next door. :o)

tomncath, I suggested (clumping) bamboo on this forum a few weeks ago as a screen from neighboring property and was soundly trashed. Thanks for the vindication! I have some black, some dwarf textilis and some of the yellow with dark green stripes, just planted about 8 months ago. The black has sent up new stalks,but the others, not yet.

BTW, I think I'm confused-I thought that fence was the OP's, hence the vine suggestions. Sorry.

I'd put up a simple trellis, some 4x4's sunk in the ground and cow fencing attached to it would do. Make it about 6' tall, and plant Blue Sky vine under it. In no time you won't see the trellis, just a beautiful wall of green leaves and blue flowers. I did this two years ago with many different vines, and the Blue Sky is the only one that covers the whole trellis, it grows up, and then hangs down to ground, and is always in bloom. the other vines grow up to the top of the trellis and vine around the top foot or so, leaving the bottom open.

Thanks for the kind words about our bamboo Kathy and Cynthia, it's made living out back magical and a whole lot cooler in the summer, I love the cardinals nesting in it this time of year too :-)

Tom

I am also have the dwarf textillas. Tom convinced me a couple of years ago to go the bamboo route. Its very fun.

I have Golden Dew drops that grow rapidly. The hummingbirds love them! They are decidous (can't spell it!) here. Maybe not where you live. The berries are poison to dogs and children though. I'm not sure of the water requirements. I love bamboo! What a great natural wall it makes.

Having seen Tom's bamboo pics a few years ago I planted 2 of the same bamboo and am thrilled with them. The new shoots grow so fast you can go out every morning and see the difference in height. Not that I did that constantly the first year. Ok I did.

Mine is a little bare at the bottom but not so much that it might bother grandma. And maybe that is just mine. Its only a few years old and I'm not a great plant care-giver.

How about lakeview jasmine. I got 2 last year and LOVE them. Ours are grown as small trees, but the are naturally hedges. They bloom over and over again and smell like orange blossoms. Mmmmmmmmm.