If allowed: Shade cloth panels stretched between the pillars -- would block view, permit air flow, use no water, tan color would blend nicely.

How well would bougainvillea do on that fence?

Hagler Dr · More Info

Is the purpose to hide the view of flagrant irrigation where it is discouraged if not disallowed?

Southwest native leucophyllums, texas rangers, make great shrubs taking all manner of heat and sun, using little water and blooming on and off all summer. They come in a lot of varieties and I love them all!

You don't need or want a hedge. You just need some slightly taller and fuller plants between the stone columns. The leucophyllums definitely came to mind. I wonder if there might be an appropriate hibiscus or close relation for your area. Pygmy Date Palm clusters, Phoenix roebelenii are another possibility for screening.

Thank you all for the comments! I never considered not having a hedge, but I am definitely a palm lover so phoenix roebelenii would definitely work! Another great great option is bougainvillea as they grow like weeds here.
The leucophyllum aka Texas Sage are a native plant here and grow wild. I actually had a hedge of it out front for a couple of years before I grew tired of it and had it yanked out. They are beautiful if left to their own devices, but I can’t allow it to become the monster it wants to be here. By the way, I am in zone 9B.

Thanks to all of you!

Robert

I agree with others that a hedge would just cover up the pretty stone pillars.

Most likely, Sky Pencil Holly would struggle in the OP’s soil. They prefer acidic. (ETA: Comment I’m responding to has been deleted. Odd.)

Wonderful native Texas vine:

Coral honeysuckle

Shrubs:

Abelias (various)

Oleander

Cape Plumbago

Pomegranate

Other plants:

‘Gold Star’ Esperanza

Ixora

Salvias (’greggii’)

Cannas

Ornamental grasses

Etc

I’m up in D/FW, so don’t know everything that will thrive in your zone … I’d check with a local established nursery for unique plants. I love bougainvillea, but it’s very common (do hate the thorns), as is Hibiscus, and I don’t think Texas Sage would be attractive there. I stopped planting them up here, as they’re so common and bloom too sporadically.

You have a beautiful place!

ETA: Forgot to share the Texas gardening board, if you haven’t seen it:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/texas-gardening

It’s not very busy, but the posters there are extremely knowledgable and experienced.

Thank you, Jinx! I do believe I have been steered away from a hedge toward more of a screen. I’ll post again once I have installed some plants.