Ornamental Trees for Pots

Trees for Poolside and Patio

• Palms may be the first thing most think of when gardening poolside, and many are quite hardy (and can be moved inside for winter in harsh climates); Chamaerops, Phoenix canariensis, Jubaea and Trachycarpus, in particular, are considered to be super hardy. For a dreamier southern-style container garden, consider the Pittosporum phylliraeoides, a weeping willow with sweet-smelling yellow flowers. Another perennial favorite, lending an exotic Asian flair to porch and patio, is the Japanese maple, which comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes; most are quite hardy. Other options to consider are Texas Mountain Laurel, Shoestring, Blackbrush and Pearl Acacias, and the Hollywood Juniper.

Citrus Trees for Inside and Outside

• How well citrus trees will do in containers is largely dependent on the climate in which they live. Oranges, kumquats, lemons, limes and tangerines, among others, have all been dwarfed for container growing. Other exotics such as avocado, pomegranates, persimmons and figs also lend themselves to life in a pot. If the gardener lives in a tropical or extremely temperate climate, these plants do very well outside year-round. Colder climates require that the plants be brought inside once the nights reach a certain temperature and returned outside when they warm. It is important to prevent sunburn on these trees when returning them outside, and they should be gradually moved from dappled shade to full sun to prevent burning of the leaves. This category of container tree requires pollination for production; some varieties have been grafted with others and are thus seemingly self-pollinating, whereas others require at least one other of its type nearby for fertilization.

Dwarf Fruit and Nut Trees

• A good rule of thumb for container gardens with fruit trees is, know how they pollinate and if they need seasonal weather changes to survive and produce. A grower may be tempted to bring some varieties inside in an attempt to keep a tree green and producing all year, but many trees need to be chilled for a season. Apples, cherries, peaches, pears and plums, for example, need close to freezing temperatures for 100-plus hours to thrive; bringing them inside will almost always kill them. Most of the same trees that are available in dwarf varieties and good for containers also need a second variety of its type to pollinate it for the fruit to grow; these incidentally are typically the same types that need seasonal chilling: plum, pear, cherry, apple and nut trees. Nuts are the exception to the chilling rule, and most, except walnuts, can do well in temperate climates or indoors.