Planting trees near a swimming pool can lead to problems after a few years, with invasive roots buckling and cracking cement, and the leaf litter and branches dirtying the pool and clogging the filter system. A perfect solution is to plant a tree in a large container: the roots are contained and won't hurt the cement or tile work, and, if you choose the right kind, litter isn't a problem, either. Here are some suggestions for excellent container trees to grow near your swimming pool.
Blackbrush Acacia Naturally a multi-stemmed tree, the Acacia rigidula can be trained as a single-stemmed trim by pruning back to one strong stem at the base. Slower growing than most acacias, it is an excellent choice for containers and will reach a maximum of 10 to 12 feet high and wide. It has deep green small rounded leaves. Fragrant pale yellow blooms on 2-3 spikes appear March and April.
Pearl Acacia - Normally a shrub, the Acacia podalyriifolia can be trimmed to form a rounded tree. Requires very little summer water, if any. Blooms from November to March with long clusters of small, fluffy, light yellow blooms. Hardy to about 20 degrees F. In containers will grow to 10 to 15 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. Prune heavily after bloom to shape.
Shoestring Acacia Acacia stenophylla is a fast growing, open habit tree with a beautiful weeping habit and deep red bark on the new growth. It can grow to 20 to 30 feet, so it will need a very large container to not become root bound too soon. It flowers in late winter to early spring with ½ inch balls of creamy yellow blooms. Growth can be controlled by trimming and thinning the roots in early spring every few years.
Hollywood Juniper Juniper chinensis 'Torulosa' or 'Kaizuka' is an upright juniper with an interesting twisted growth habit. Can be very pretty in containers, and will grow to a maximum of 15 feet. Give little or no summer water except in the hottest areas.
Other junipers to consider: Variegated Hollywood Juniper, Hetz Blue Juniper
Japanese Maple Though deciduous (with the associated need for leaf clean-up in the fall), the many varieties of Acer palmatum are excellent choices as container trees near a pool. Many colors, shapes, and sizes are available, all are cold hardy and can handle varying amounts of wind, heat, aridity, and humidity. Most have interesting branching patterns and some have beautifully colored bark for winter interest, even after the beautiful leaves are gone. They handle partial to full shade, and will grow from 5 feet to 15 feet tall, depending on cultivar.
Texas Mountain Laurel Sophora secundiflora, also called Mescal Bean, is an evergreen shrub or tree (depending on how it is pruned.) The blooms and resulting seed pods can be a bit messy for near a pool, but the beauty and shape of the tree, and its relative slow growth, make it worth the added cleanup. The tree blooms February through April with sweet-smelling purplish-blue flowers in 4 to 8 inch drooping clusters resembling wisteria. The seeds are poisonous, so seed pod cleanup is necessary in public areas.
Palms Surprisingly, some palms a rather cold hardy, and can be grown in areas with occasional frosts or even freezes. Larger, well established plants tend to be more cold-hardy than smaller young plants. For areas with occasional frost, try Brahea, Butia, Chamaedorea cataractarum, Chamaedorea elegans, Chamaedorea klotzschiana, Chamaedorea seifrizii, Chamaerops, Livistona, Neodypsis, Phoenix roebelenii, Trachycarpus. For very cold areas, try Chamaerops, Jubaea, Phoenix canariensis, and Trachycarpus.
Willow Pittosporum Pittosporum phillyraeoides is a weeping plant with trailing branches and narrow, dusty green leaves. Slowly growing to 15 feet high and 10 feet wide in large containers (smaller in compact containers), this evergreen tree is beautiful by the pool, and will reward you with small fragrant yellow flowers in late winter and early spring. Tolerates heat and arid climates, cold hardy to 20 degrees at night if days are warmer, or sunlight reflected off a deck or patio worms the tree and container.
If you live in a warm climate where the winters never freeze, or you have the means to move your tree to a protected area in winter, consider one of the Cordyline, Dracaena or Ensete. These evergreen palm-like trees can grow to ten feet tall and provide interest and color, though little shade.
