Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Suggestions for tropical look around hot Texas pool?, 1 by Connie_G

Connie_G wrote:
I'm building a spa/pool and will have about 40 feet by 6 feet to landscape along one side, then about 5 x 20 on the other. I can bring in whatever soil I need, as all will be fill between the pool and retainer walls.
Can someone suggest plants that will look good in all 4 seasons?
I read about the "foxtail palm" that some people in Houston or Galveston grew.
I see some palms (HUGE ONES!) down the street from me, but don't want the ones that grow 50 feet high, and don't think I have room for them anyhoo.

I'd like to have bushes for the "bones" of the landscape, but then a few appropriate "palm-looking" things to look tropical.
Some things I could plant in pots and bring into the house in a freeze...I guess! :-) I'm just starting to think about this...I may be way off base.

They just shot the gunite, so I'm waiting for the retainer walls to be finished and the area cleaned before I post a pic of the beds to be designed. This pic is of the general area. You can (sorta) see the long side and the short side in the distance. The other 2 sides will be slate tiles (the large concrete steps in the foreground) and grass (to the left of the spa, which is in the left middle area).

Thanks in advance!