I think the only way to get away from tree litter around pools is to go the palm route. We shrugged our shoulders and went with a lyseloma which is VERY messy in the spring but looks really nice the rest of the time. We used native grasses we got a DBG, desert mallow, desert marigold, and little jack bottle bush to give a variety of shades of green and of texture. The grasses get tall so you also get a variety of low to high plants around the pool this way. We had a couple of Dark Knight salvias that look good with this, but they died.

Crista

Here's a link to a list of plants that are suitable around pools. Some have links to photos and descriptions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Friendly Plants

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. One of the challenges is that the pool is on the south side of the house. While I could always put an evergreen there, landscapers recommend using deciduous trees on the south side of the house. What I'm trying to figure out is how far away from the pool I should put those deciduous trees. Clearly the trees 40' feet from the pool are unlikely to create a problem no matter how much litter they drop. But what about 20' or 15' from the pool? Should I plan on the width of the canopy as a measure of how far I need to put the tree from the pool - or can I get away with a little less or do I need a little more?

It is difficult to recommend a site plan when none of us can see your space. Sun exposure also dictates what you can and cannot plant or how to plant.

As for me, I have Cuban Royal Palms (3), Foxtail palms (8), plumeria trees (3, all deciduous in winter), pygmy date palms (6), several pineapples (3), dypis baronii, dypsis lutescens, and a lady palm (sheltered area) around my pool. Litter is minimal to none. Royals take sun much better than queens, and can serve to filter light for some of my other stuff planted below. They are cold sensitive when younger though, so you can't be in a cold spot.

Palms are typically used because they are so clean. The deciduous trees (sun to house in winter and shade in summer)at least will shed basically all at once instead of little by little throughout the year. It's a maintenance choice you have to make, I guess.

sonotaps-- i'd love to see pics of your garden. you plant list always seems to amaze me... i don't mean to go off topic but how long did it take for your ruby x guava to fruit? i finally got one. it was a 5gal. and is growing like mad...

Hi all,

Unfortunately my husband hates palms and is distressingly dogmatic about it.

I already have a site plan:

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My only issue is with the tree closest to the pool - the Chaste tree - which the City of Gilbert website that aztreelvr linked to says NOT to put by pools. I'm trying to either find a substitute tree or to find out if the tree is far enough (or can be moved to far enough without changing its role/benefits) from the pool so as not to be a problem. Where it is now, the trunk of the tree is approximately 10' from the edge of the spa (it could be moved to about 12 or 13' from the edge of the spa without otherwise changing the design beyond some changes I need to make anyway because we redid the pool and deck).

FYI - the plants in the raised bed are existing.

The Ruby X will bloom the first year.

I don't know where you are in the Valley (I'm in Desert Ridge area), but if you would like to take a look at the garden, send me a PM and we can set a time.

I like to compare notes and learn new things so it's no problem.

Your husband hates palms? Did a coconut fall on his head in the past or something? I've NEVER heard of that LOL!

He hates tall palms (Mexican Fan, Queen, etc "they look like telephone poles and don't provide any shade where they are planted") and generalizes that to all palms.

I have pointed out other palms and he admits that "yeah, that one's OK" but if I just mention the word "palm" in relation to our yard he says he doesn't want any. He doesn't like the way they are trimmed (and, I will admit, there are some seriously over-trimmed palms) - I think he likes them "bearded." He also thinks they don't belong in the desert.

It is totally irrational but since he is basically letting me do whatever I want in every other aspect of the yard, I'm not going to fight it. I do have a Mediterranean fan palm in a planter so my yard is not complete devoid of palms. I may sneak a few others in there P)

Are the roots of a willow tree obtrusive closed to a pool?

I totally agree with how horrible palm trees are! They do look like telephone poles and create very little shade. The shade they to create is in your neighbors yard :) A shoestring acacia is low water, very low litter and grow fast. They are a taller narrower tree.

Oh, I love getting responses to my posts a few months after a gap - it feels like Christmas and reminds me of issues I may not have resolved yet.

Actually, I saw a silk floss tree on ASU's campus recently which I thought looked beautiful so I'm thinking of replacing the Chaste tree with that one (turns out DH doesn't like Chaste trees, either).

meo

Oh no, we have a mature chaste tree right next to our thirty five year pool. What is wrong with the chaste? So far, it has been a beautiful sight our our window and draws so many hummingbirds. Is it the roots or the seeds that we have to worry about? I didn't mention that the chaste tree is not ours it is in the yard next door about six or seven feet away from our pool.