You can use a plastic milk crate, black color would be preferred so as not to show up in the pond as much. Set shorter plants on them if you like. You are in a warmer climate so you have many choices for nice plants. Do a search on line for pond plants and you will see a bunch you might like and then you can ask us if they are any good. I like to set Sedge plants on a crate or whatever as they grow well in water and on land too and they suck up lots of gunk from the water to use to fertilize them.
Just get one Sedge if you have room for it. They are quite pretty. This one is called Ice Dance.
I have a different kind of Sedge along side my pond below growing in between the rocks w/its feet in the water:
And another kind growing in a pot sitting on top of an upside down clay pot:
Sweet Flag will also grow like the above plant but it can really get thick and heavy so watch it and don't let it get too huge before you need to divide it up or you will have a heck of a time getting it out.
I stuck some in a stainless bowl on top of my water fall and it grew there like crazy too: