We first saw this back yard just as the finishing touches were being put on the pool. The desire was to create a private garden with the feeling of being in a tropical destination. Shade was another concern, since summer full sun can be blazing! We used travertine provided by the client to create a patio just off the house. This will be an area for dinning perhaps a large umbrella. There is a hedge of Podocarpus planted along it to provide privacy from the neighbors. Working our way around the pool there is a path surrounded by gravel that takes you to a large deck and pergola. This is a place to escape the sun while enjoying the space. We surrounded the pool equipment with a fenced in area with added room for storage. The background of the pool is plantings with a small area tucked in for sitting and reading or having a private conversation. As the Mexican palms grow in they will add to the height. Some of the plants may hibernate in the winter but grow back full by summer time.