bumping this up again…please help…any ideas?

There is nothing better than good, experienced, pro advice. If you cannot afford to hire a landscaper to help, take these pictures along with a diagram of the yard, pool, including dimensions and head to a couple of local, good nurseries. They would love to help you pick out plants, trees. Ask to speak with someone who has had years of experience in the field.

That's very good advice from APK. My only other thought is that less is more. If you have to have access I'd consider replacing the ribbon of turf with something more durable, such as stone or gravel. If you don't need it for access then I'd do away with the turf ribbon altogether. In my opinion, based upon what I can tell from the photos, this space lends itself to a bold, modern design approach. Good luck!

Thanks y'all. Metes & Bounds we are planning to replace the grass on the pathways with artificial grass. I like the pop of green and do want it to be more durable. Just got back from the nursery and I did show them some pictures of the area as APK Designs suggested. We have decided to replace the existing Crepe Myrtle's (leaving 1 for color) with Japanese Blueberries and we are planting Sweet Vibernum hedges around the decking on both corners of the yards. Still trying to decided on plants/flowers/hedges along the pool wall. I want a tropical feel when I am in the pool so whatever I plant there needs to be at least 3 feet tall because the wall is pretty high and sun doesn't really hit the spot until noon. Thank you so much for your advice

Amy I absolutely think those would look great on the fence side of the pathway but finding something that is taller than the pool wall that you can see while in the pool is harder to find. What I seem to find ends up growing too tall. I thought about Knock Out Roses and Gardenias but was worried about bees and I would probably kill the Gardenias ;-)

Since Houston is more of a tropical climate vs. mediterranean, I'd try and stick with lush tropicals. Start with Hibiscus, Queen Palms, Pygmy Date Palms and Sago Palms for accents.

Olive trees?

cat palms only grow about 5-6ft tall and wide/tropical