Question
QUESTION: I live in Southern California 5 miles from the ocean and want something in my large container in the back yard near my swimming pool to be tall but thin, to dress up a blank wall. I love the queen palm while it is young, small and a little bushy but a full grown palm won't do. Want it to get between 6 to 10 feet and not messy because of the pool. It gets full sun all summer and shade in the winter. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Pauline, there are many choices that would fit into that category, but I need to know how large the container is, and what shape.....give me the dimensions from rim to rim and rim to ground and whether it is box shaped or cylindrical and finally what its made of, ceramic , plastic etc. Nick  

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QUESTION: Hi Nick,round, wooden, half barrel shape, 20 inches accross and 15 inches tall. I have ceramic containers that I could use if it would be better about the same size. Love to know, thanks.

Answer
Ok, as I said, there are plenty of choices, but I would narrow it down to the following, (and you can bring them up on your search engine as images, so you get a better feel...), Bambusa Multiplex "Alphonse Karr"(Bamboo),, Split leaf Philodendron,,,any of the Ornamental Grasses,,,,,or a Pygmy Date Palm.....these are specimens that will provide a tropical ambiance while maintaining a clean, debris free look that requires limited care. The key here is the old "KISS" principal......keep it simple stupid, for you don't want anything that is going to end up shedding into the pool itself, and needs to be able to be maintained with as little effort as possible. Nick