How to Install Artificial Green Walls on Mesh and Transform a Pool Fence

Some problems look like a landscaping question. In reality they're a maintenance question. That's exactly what a recent client of ours faced: olive trees that looked beautiful in theory but were a relentless source of pool contamination, unpredictable die-off, and animal activity. 
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How to Install Artificial Green Walls on Mesh and Transform a Pool Fence

Application

Outdoor pool fence — full boundary fence coverage on an open perforated metal frame using the mesh preparation technique.

Products Used

White Oasis artificial green wall panel

Key Outcome

It replaces a difficult execution of a live plant display with a version that can deliver that result permanently, without the maintenance burden that eventually makes the real thing more trouble than it's worth.

Before & After Transformation

The Before

The existing fence surface was not a flat wall or a solid timber fence. It was an open, perforated metal frame, meaning there was no continuous backing surface to mount panels against directly. 

This is exactly the scenario where the mesh preparation step makes the difference between a professional, seamless result and an uneven, inconsistent one. This was to be a hands-on job, and the installation required working the full height and length of the fence to achieve a smooth, even coverage.

The After

We covered the entire fence length with lush, dense mixed-foliage panels. Now, from one end of the fence to the other, there are no gaps, no visible panel edges, no variation in density. 

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The Client Challenge

The client had a beautiful outdoor pool area that had been planted with real olive trees along one boundary fence. At first, it was a classic choice that looked stunning in landscape photography. Unfortunately, it quickly began to present real practical problems.

The brief was clear: replace everything along that fence with something that would be green, even, permanent, and as close to maintenance-free as possible. 

The Client Transformation

The specific issues that brought them to us: 

  1. Leaf drop into the pool: Olive trees are semi-evergreen and drop leaves continuously. For a pool owner, this means constant skimming, filter blockages, and water quality issues. No amount of maintenance schedule eliminates it; you're simply managing a permanent problem.
  2. Uneven die-off: Sections of the trees had begun dying at different times of year, leaving bare patches across the length of the fence. Over time, the fence line became patchy and inconsistent. 
  3. Animal activity: The trees were attracting birds and other animals whose droppings were landing in the pool area. Beyond the aesthetic problem, this posed a hygiene concern that the client was tired of managing.

The Solution

After discussing, we recommended our White Oasis artificial green wall panel, a dense, multi-toned foliage with delicate white floral accents woven throughout. The panel creates the kind of natural variation and depth, and the white flowering detail adds a lifted, garden-like quality that suits the outdoor pool aesthetic particularly well.

How to Install Green Wall Panels on a Metal Frame Using Mesh

This installation used a specific technique that we recommend for any project where the existing fence or frame is an open, perforated, or irregular surface. 

The method adds one preparation step but delivers a significantly smoother, more consistent result. Here's exactly how it works.

For the full visual step-by-step, check out our official installation guide.

The Result

The installation reads as a single, continuous green wall, and it’s the kind of result that requires both the right product and the right installation technique to achieve. The pool itself frames the result perfectly: clear blue water in the foreground, a lush green wall behind, and not a dropped leaf in sight. 

Why Artificial Greenery Worked So Well

The client in this project spent years managing something that was supposed to be a feature. One installation later, that problem is gone, and the space looks better than it ever did with the trees.

Practical Tips


Step 1: Add Mesh to Create a Consistent Surface

Cut sheets of galvanised wire mesh with a 2-inch grid spacing to match the sections of your fence frame. Working from one end of the fence, lay each sheet flat against the frame surface and secure it in place using standard fencing brackets. 

On a perforated or open frame, panels attached directly will follow the contours and gaps of the underlying structure. Some sections will sit flush; others will bow forward or pull back into open spaces. 

Overlap adjacent mesh sheets by at least one grid square and secure the overlapping edge before moving on. Work from the top of the fence down.

Step 2: Attach the First Panel With Zip Ties

Once you secure the mesh across the full installation area, begin panel attachment. Start from one top corner, the same corner at which you began the mesh installation, and position the first panel flush against the mesh surface.

Push a cable tie (zip tie) through the panel's integrated grid backing and loop it around the mesh wire behind. Pull the zip tie through the head until tight, then trim the excess tail flush.  Repeat across the panel (4-6 zip ties per panel is enough for a secure attachment). By using the mesh, you won’t have to damage your fence at all. 

Step 3: Clip Adjacent Panels Together and Repeat

Each Designer Plants artificial green wall panel has a hole-and-lug system around all edges. Once you secure the first panel, position the next directly adjacent, with top edges aligned, side edges touching, and clip the lug of the new panel into the hole of the installed panel. 

With the panel-to-panel clip secure, attach the new panel to the mesh with zip ties as in Step 2. Repeat across the full width and height of the installation.

At the edges of the fence, where the panel may overhang a post or reach the end of the frame, you can trim the panels with sharp scissors or a utility blade to fit precisely. You can even make interesting shapes. 

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FAQs

Can artificial green wall panels be used on pool fences? 

- Yes, provided the panels are UV-rated and made from outdoor-grade LDPE so they can handle direct sun, reflected light from water, moisture exposure, and outdoor temperature fluctuation. 

How many panels do I need for a pool fence? 

- Measure your fence width and height in feet. Each panel covers 11 sq ft (40×40in). Divide the total fence area by 11 to get your panel count, then add 10% for trimming at posts and edges. For a precise calculation and product recommendation, book a free consultation.

Do artificial green walls attract birds or animals? 

- No. Unlike live hedges and trees, artificial panels offer no food source, nesting material, or shelter that attracts wildlife. 

How long will an outdoor artificial green wall last by a pool? 

- With properly UV-rated LDPE panels, outdoor installations in pool environments typically last 5+ years with minimal maintenance. The 5-year UV warranty covers color retention under direct sun exposure. Occasional rinsing with a garden hose is the only maintenance required.

Related Products & Inspiration

White Oasis artificial green wall panel

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Planning a residential or commercial greenery transformation? Speak with Designer Vertical Gardens about premium artificial green walls, privacy screening, and custom greenery solutions.