I built a lattice fence, so the side of my above ground pool was unseen from where we park the vehicles. A mix of vines covers it, now, and you cannot see through. Even when they are brown and leafless, it works. But so might some dependable but boring arborvitae. Or even our native Red Cedar or native Hemlocks, which would need topping, from time to time. For interest, deciduous shrubs, with flowers and fall color, would add interest. Fothergilla is a favorite.

Shown in Summer, but the rampant vines really do their job.

no shrub will magically stop growing at some magical height .... so if you went the shrub route.. sooner or later.. you would have to start pruning it ... [the process is not really the TOPPING bog speaks of.. if you select properly]

that job would be compared to the maintenance of bogs situation ... 6 of this.. half dozen of the other ...

in my MI ... not many flowering shrubs.. flower during pool season .... if that would be important ...

if you really want good suggestions... i suggest a pic of your spot ...

ken

Along with a photo, an indication of where you are is necessary if you are to get useful suggestions since what grows in FL is quite different from NV or here in NH. Here's how to add it to your profile so that it posts automatically by your name when you post so that we don't have to ask.

Go to Your Houzz in upper right of every page, click Edit Profile, and on the left side click advanced settings. Well down the advanced settings page is a blank labeled Climate Zone for Garden Forums along with a link to find your zone.

If you add info on your state or the nearest large city you will get even better information since zone only relates to average coldest winter temperatures.

Then return to the top of the page and click Done Editing.

the photo is NOT the OPs ....

i agree maack .... but when you assume... well ... you know the rest .. lol

ken

Thanks for the comments. I fixed my profile, so it now shows the zone which you all correctly guess was MN Zone 4.

We moved into the new house shortly after the original post, so the last few months have been crazy. Now that the frost is almost up, thinking about how to plant something to hide the pool equipment. Here are a couple pictures showing the area. The concrete pool deck is straight south of the equipment, so it's a full sun spot that will be toasty warm in the summer.

As I mentioned in the original post, thinking about upright evergreen shrubs plus possibly incorporating ornamental grasses on the narrower areas between equipment and concrete pool deck.

The more I look at it, I really like Bog's trellis/vine idea. Some sweet pea vines would grow quickly and give a really nice smell around the pool area. Hmmmm...

Best grass to hide it would be Calamagrostis 'Karl Forester'- it is about the only cool season grass that will come up early enough in MN to give coverage for a decent part of the year.

Looking out at the space I would consider using Chamaecyparis 'Golden Mops' - this is a slowly growing upright mound but would offer year-round color and a bright cheery presence all summer/winter. Would take little if any maintenance until it became the size you wanted.

You will need to address the drainage there- having a downspout empty into the area (unless it is only carrying a tiny amount of roof) could spell disaster for both the new plants you intend to put there and the tree. Also, what is the type of tree you've planted?

Yes, I've actually been looking at the Karl Forester. Will check into that and the Chamaecyparis...

The tree is a Japanese Ivory Silk Lilac. We had a landscaping company do the majority of the design and planting, but doing the pool area ourselves to keep the costs manageable.

Good call on the drainage. There is a downspout near that corner of the house, but a buried drain tile in that area pulls the water away pretty well. I didn't see any water pool up this spring, which is a good sign.

Juniper communis "Compressa"