How about a lemon tree?

Thanks for the suggestions! The tree on the left is actually a lemon tree - and we have an orange tree - but a lime tree would be nice. I also had the idea of training a California grape vine from the middle up onto some kind of trellis that covered the patio. Has anyone ever done something like that? I have a grapevine that has really taken off and it seems like it's doable. I wonder if wire supports would be enough or if you'd need to build something sturdier? Anyway, this would take a few years and maybe not the right idea....

Or what about a Desert Willow? I like that it's low water usage (since it will be hand watered). Would it get too big? Would the roots be too big/too close to the foundations of the houses? Also someone suggested a Palo Verde. Related question: if I go with something like that, will my shade sail be incompatible? Or might a young tree appreciate a bit of shade the first couple of summers? I realize I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too by putting up a shade sail for short-term shade/heat gain mitigation, while also looking to plant something that will provide shade in the future...

Desert Willow and Palo Verde are both very nice but they drop a lot of litter. Something to think consider. Palo Verde can get quite large. 'Desert Museum' thornless or almost thornless, pretty fast growing, 25x25 average but I have seen them larger. Parkinsonia microphylla smaller, 10x20 or 10x10 or 10x15, slower growing but those have the thorns.

Grape is deciduous so your winters would be sunny. You also need to train the plant upon the support: do you want to do that? Strength of the support required depends on your willingness to cut back growth, and material used. A wooden trellis deteriorates over time due to dry rot and UV exposure.

What are the root systems of Palo Verde and Desert Willow like? If they get to be 20 feet tall, is the 14' wide (7' from either foundation) too close then? As for litter, we have a gardener mow'n'blow service come every two weeks. And I can't imagine they could be anywhere as bad as the umbrella tree (giant seedpods, enormous 16" across heavy leaves falling all the time) but that is good to know. I will look into those cultivars....

As for the grape, I was thinking sunny winters would be nice so we get the heat gain in colder months. But it's true that it would be a lot of work to train the vines. They can quickly get out of control if you look the other way. (Ask me how I know ;) ). Thanks for your thoughts hoovb!

Thought about this some more. Consider Callistemon vilimnalis. Very attractive small tree, low water needs, well behaved roots, attracts hummingbirds, endlessly trimmable, if needed. Another thought would be Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle) if you want deciduous. There are many many, many different varieties, choose one that will fit the space.

I love the idea of Chilopsis linearis (desert willow). This is a CA native and once established can survive on very little summer water. I have Timeless Beauty in my yard. It can get to about 15 feet and doesn't reseed. I have not noticed large amounts of leaf litter but mine is in the front yard with a bunch of other native plants and if it drops leaves I don't really care because they just add to the mulch.

I have 2 Crepe Myrtles in my backyard and they drop lots of leaf litter. They are right over my walkway and I have to sweep it daily. Do your research once your landscaper gives you a plant list. I HAD no idea this tree was going to be such a pain. Good thing this shrub/tree attracts bees because if it didn't it would be SO gone.

Forgot to mention, roots have not been a problem for Chilopsis lineris (desert willow) or Crepe Myrtle. You just have to figure out what you are willing to do maintenance wise (leaf clean up and pruning back).

Clients sometimes plant shrubs that grow up to 10' closer to the house. If u plant a tree in the middle it really divides a space. This would give you shade and more space in the back u could do a hibiscus shrub if u need flowers. I didn't see which zone u were in but u can look on www.Monrovia.com for plants

Do you have any suggestions for shrubs? How would a large shrub (big enough to give shade) not divide the space as much as a tree? I guess I was thinking a tree would get big enough (ideally) to walk underneath....

Hoovb's recommendations, crape myrtle or a bottle brush, would be mine as well. Any live plant is going to drop leaves, spent flowers, and seed pods as well as attract insects and birds. It's inevitable, but the alternative isn't so great either.

Hmmm, what if you went with a large sail shade or patio umbrella for shad and put a really nifty eye catching fountain there instead as a focal point? Sitting at a nice patio set and listening to the water is very relaxing.

Yes, I've been looking at sail shades - and a fountain would be nice! I don't know how much upkeep that would mean but I will think about it.

Crepe myrtles. Shed 3x a year, once flowers, once bark, once leaves. Best over a lawn.

Fountains are great, especially if you can see all the activity that they attract. I have mine right outside my kitchen window and love seeing hummingbirds and goldfinches bathe in it daily. You will have to clean it regularly, if it is in the sun. I put in Physan 20, which is bird safe, but I still end up draining the water and giving it a good scrub every 3 weeks. I think it is worth it, but you have to decide whether you want to do the maintenance. Good Luck!

I will double down on Sock's comment about myrtles. I have a massive, decades-year old crepe myrtle. The only time that it is not dropping litter is in the winter. The only positive is that is provides a beautiful, purple colored mulch for my garden with all the spent blooms it drops.