We're thinking of planting Japanese Blueberry along our back fence for some privacy. Center of tree would be about 4.5 ft from the pool deck and 8.5 ft from the pool. Anyone have experience with these trees?

My main concern is if they'll make a mess in/around the pool. I know they can get pretty big, but we'll trim them to keep them no more than about 12 ft tall and 6-8 ft wide. Our other thought is Eagleston Holly. In Houston area, if that matters.

I would do Eagleston Hollys - I think they do much better in Houston. We had a row of Japanese Blueberrys at our previous house and while they were great for screening, they always had a funky disease that made them look bad. We had various treatments done that would work to varying degrees but thefuniness always came back.

Ours look great around the pool and have provided a lot of privacy BUT in the last two years they have become a big pain in the ass.... the first 5 years they did not bloom/seed but over the last few years they started and it makes a mess. Then after all that is done you start getting the "blueberries" that drop as well.

We also had the leaves turning black issue and have had to stick to treatments every 6 months.

Overall they look very nice but with a pool and the added maintainance to keep them healthy... i would not plant them again.

Thanks, this is exactly the type of info I was looking for but having trouble finding online. They are great looking trees and certainly more visual appealing to me than the hollies, but not worth that extra trouble you both described. We'll stick with the hollies.