what about making the trellis bigger.. so it covers the whole area....

instead of trying to make LARGE trees stay small ...

anything potted.. within the circumstances given.. 'this area gets baked' .. is going to make pot culture very hard ...

now.. with some shade from the trellis.. working in pots may become easier ...

ken

i would suggest you invest in PVC structures.. rather than wood.. the higher initial cost is offset by the continual rotting of wood ...

see link below .... and take PVC ARBORS back to google images for many other types/ideas ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Around here EMT conduit at HD is chuh-heeeeep. Make one out of 1/2 conduit.

Next, I have Rhamnus frangula 'Fine Line' that I like a lot IMHO fits the description.

Dan

Thanks for the replies everyone.
-We don't have the option of making the trellis bigger because of space limitations- but you're right, that would be ideal.
Pot culture has been going well on the rest of the patio, as we have an umbrella up that covers most of the cement during the early afternoon.
-We are using a rot-resistant hardwood that will be sunk into some concrete in the ground. PVC pipe would last longer, but not cater to our "aesthetic values"- we'll square with that when the time comes. Whatever is there has to be removed/cut down every 7 years as the complex is painted.
-EMT would be excellent as well, but refer above. I know, I know, stubborn femininity.
I will look into the Rhamnus- the pictures I've found are lovely.

This was just an idea we were thinking of toying with- it might just turn out to have been an interesting research and learning experience.
In any case- thank you for your input and ideas!

If you're not familiar with it, take a look at Cercis 'Covey' (Lavender Twist Redbud). It's a gorgeous little weeping tree, and in my experience, can be kept perfectly happy in a pot.