Planning Houston area pool? Landscaping? Small Wax Myrtle warning here...

[rolltideroll18]

Here are the ones planted along our side fence (for scale, that's a 6 ft fence.) These were 15 gallon and have been there about 2.5 years. First winter, we had a rare snow. The next summer, our sprinkler system was out, as the main line was severed by the pool dig. Last summer was a drought with City of Katy asking for voluntary water conservation. This summer has been alternating periods of heavy rain and no rain. The Eagleston Hollies took it all. Supposed to be OK in USDA zones 6a through 9b. We're in the northern part of 9a.

Any chance you have pictures now?

 

[BowserB]

Sorry for the delay getting back on questions. Here is a pic today (June 18, 2023). These were 15 gallon planted in November 2017 (that's the second pic.) As to spacing, see what the nursery recommends. The spacing I chose was based on the mid points between sprinkler heads along the fence. Incidentally, I've since planted a couple of Savannah Hollies, and they have done quite well, too. Also shed few leaves.

 

[kcl5116]

Hi guys. A popular tree/shrub in the Houston area--popular with landscapers anyway--is the Wax Myrtle. I even had one draw a plan and plant four in my backyard in anticipation of a pool. He said they are evergreen and provide very good privacy. The privacy thing is mostly true, assuming regular professional pruning, however, one must understand evergreen does not mean no leaves in the pool. We also have Eagleston Hollies, which are evergreen. They drop maybe ten leaves a year. Wax Myrtle sheds its little skinny leaves 12 months a year. In a pool, they float around then cling to the sides, so even one of those solar skimmer things can't get them. Then they sink to the bottom where their airfoil shape strives to prevent scooping with a rake net. If you don't use skimmer socks, a fair number will drift in and sneak through the basket and right to the pump basket.

So there it is...my warning. Wax Myrtle within 10-15 feet of your pool will not make you happy.

I'm in Houston and looking for tall privacy options to plant along the fence near the pool (6 ft away) - would love Eagleston Hollies, but my husband is concerned about the berries dropping and potentially staining the pool - have you experienced that?

 

[Dirk]

I'm in Houston and looking for tall privacy options to plant along the fence near the pool (6 ft away) - would love Eagleston Hollies, but my husband is concerned about the berries dropping and potentially staining the pool - have you experienced that?

I don't know anything about plants. But I do know this, they make a huge difference. I've read many posts over the years about the trouble pool owners have with their landscaping. My neighbors with pools are constantly complaining, too. I feel a bit guilty bragging about it, but the landscaper the previous owners of my house used was a genius, and has made my pool maintenance chores a breeze. Except for a few weeks a year, my weekly haul in my skimmer basket is about 1/2" deep, and the basket in my pump is less than that! (I have a suction-side vac that sends everything on the bottom to the pump basket.) Many weeks there is almost nothing in either basket. It really is remarkable, and it's all due to plant selection.

I have a lot of evergreens, which do drop some, but all straight down. None of it gets into the pool. I do have a few messy trees, and windy days, so that accounts for the little that does make it to the pool, but it is so little that I just can't complain. And my skimmer and vac take care of the organic load very handily. My pool is virtually always super clean.

I highly recommend you contact and hire a qualified landscape architect. Interview a few. Satisfy yourself that they are thoroughly familiar with local plants, and ideally have designed for yards with pools. The money you spend on that now will pay dividends for decades. Even if it's a short-ish consultation to help with the selection of a few plants.

If budget doesn't allow for that, poll employees, managers and/or owners of local nurseries until you find one that is (1) willing to help you in depth, and (2) knows what they are talking about. I found my plant guru at Lowes, of all places. She's amazing. I've even hired her privately to come to my yard and give me instructions, or drive to a nursery to help me pick out plants. For $30/hr she makes more than she does at Lowes, and I get a steal. So between the original landscaper work and her guidance, I never put a plant in my yard without knowing it's not going to get into my pool.

I'm not saying you shouldn't seek advice here, but you need to find someone that knows your particular location and climate, that can recommend specific plants that will work where you live, and around a pool. It'll be worth the effort.