The key to smart poolside garden design is to find strong plants that can withstand your pool's microclimate, are easy to maintain, and still look good. The plants you choose to surround your pool should be carefully researched before any buying or digging happens. A heated pool can raise humidity levels, and intense sunlight can fry nearby landscaping. Also, keep in mind that plants will likely get splashed with chlorine and other pool and spa chemicals.
Before making an impulsive trip to the nursery for whatever strikes your fancy, do some research. For example, beware of plants that shed. Those fruit and flower-bearing trees and shrubs may be beauties, but they make a big mess when their leaves, needles, fruits, flowers, nuts. The landscaping around your swimming pool is central to the overall look and effect you want to create for your outdoor living space. If plantings are well chosen and designed, they will show off the pool to its best advantage. The wrong choices could detract from the entire scene.
Banana Tree
If you desire a tropical look for your pool area and live in a mild, frost-free climate, banana trees (Musa) instantly create the mood you may be looking for. Bananas are fast-growing herbaceous perennials or trees with tropical-looking long, broad leaves. Plant them in a spot safe from winds because those great-looking leaves can get ripped-up easily if not near a wall, fence, or protected by neighboring plants.
Hawaiian Hibiscus
Put on your hula skirt and tuck a heavenly hibiscus behind your ear: it is luau time. If you are able to grow Hawaii's state flower in your zone, then go for it—you have many species to choose from, with dreamy names like 'White Wings,' 'Crown of Bohemia,' 'Kona Princess,' and 'Flamenco Flame.'
While hibiscus traditionally is not used in floral arrangements, there is a trick to using one in an arrangement or alone in a vase for a few hours in the evening. Pick one during the day while it is in full bloom, then put it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and open in a vase for a short time period, like at a dinner party.
Bird of Paradise
If you are thinking of going the tropical-oasis route, a bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) will get you there quickly. It looks similar to a banana plant, has an upright growth habit, and 2-foot-long leaves. Like the banana, Strelitzia reginae needs shelter from strong winds or its leaves can rip.
Bird of paradise is an excellent choice for poolscaping—it does not shed and is strong enough to tolerate splashing (in moderation, of course).
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are excellent choices for poolside landscaping. They are easy to care for, not too messy, grow quickly, blend nicely with other plants, and create a striking form, day or night. This particular ornamental grass is Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus,' commonly called zebra grass or sometimes called porcupine grass. Its horizontal stripes give it an exotic look that goes well with tropical landscaping.
Egyptian Papyrus
In the right conditions, Cyperus papyrus (Egyptian papyrus, papyrus sedge or papyrus grass) can create a mood—lush, tropical, and exotic. Papyrus likes water and can live in bogs and shallow ponds. It also does fairly well in a clay soil that has been amended—the clay helps it retain dampness, which it loves. Pair it with tall and skinny Equisetum'Horsetail,' which also likes water and has an exotic feel.
Angel's Trumpet
The name alone could have you ordering one of these heavenly looking plants sight unseen. Brugmansia, commonly known as angel's trumpet, also has a heavenly scent, making it a stunning pool-area shrub or tree. In cool-summer climates, like near the coast, Brugmansia can be planted in full or partial sun.
Echeveria
Some of these Mexican natives feel to the touch like a cross between felt and velvet. What is not to love? Echeverias are succulent perennials that come in lovely greens, pinks, reds and yellows. These plants are wonderful for rock gardens and are drought tolerant. They would also be a nice addition to planters near your pool or spa, mixed in with other succulents, and some ornamental grasses for an attractive, low-maintenance display. In the right zones (mostly southwestern) they can be grown as shrubs, reaching a height of up to 2 feet (60 cm) with 4-inch-long leaves.
Kangaroo Paw
Its common name—kangaroo paw—gives a big hint as to where this popular perennial hails from: Australia. Anigozanthos flavida and its hybrids are a slim and graceful looking plant, but it is the flowers that are the real appeal to kangaroo paws. Striking and curved like kangaroo paws, the perennials comes in many varieties and lovely colors, including:
- 'Bush Gold': lemon yellow
- 'Bush Lantern': bright yellow
- 'Bush Pearl': bubblegum pink
- 'Bush Baby': a blend of red, orange and yellow
- 'Bush Emerald': green flowers with yellow and orange
- 'Bush Ranger': clear red blooms
Martha Washington Geraniums
Mention geraniums as a striking poolside plant and you might get a blank stare or a big yawn. But for vibrant, beautiful color that lasts from spring to fall—bascially the time you will be using your pool—nothing beats the hybrids called Martha Washington or Lady Washington geraniums.
The geraniums sold in most big-box stores and garden centers are actually Pelargoniums. If you happen to see some of the more unusual Martha Washington colors—all variegated—go ahead and buy it. That variety is usually only available for about six weeks or so in late spring. Since it grows quickly, there is no point in buying a quart-size container or larger. The 4-inch ones are all you need and are easier to plant in the ground.
Marthas, aka regal pelargoniums, sometimes look like exotic tropical flowers and orchids. They can be found in shades of pink, magenta, fuschia, red, white, violet and lavender. Like many flower hybrids, Lady Washington pelargoniums have great cultivar names:
- 'Raspberry Swirl'
- 'Imperial'
- 'Excalibur'
- 'Baroness'
- 'Elegance Lavender'
- 'Elegance Purple Bi-Color'
- 'Fascination'
- 'First Blush'
- 'Cherry Orchard'
- 'Bold Candy'
- 'All My Love'
- 'Hazel Masterpiece'
- 'Lilac Elaine'
- 'Oriental Delight'
Proteas
These orange tropical beauties are proteas and look like a cross between orange pincushion (Leucospermum) 'Hawaiian Sunburst' and Banksia intergrifolia. Banksias hail originally from Australia. Proteas are usually stiff and prickly to the touch but also hardy and long-lasting.
Add other tropicals—like hibiscus, cannas, and low-growing palms—with proteas for a tropical paradise.
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas) come in many beautiful colors and variegations, but this bright chartreuse 'Marguerite' (also called 'Margarita' or 'Margarite') is one of the most striking and hardy. Hailing from tropical and subtropical locales, I. batatas are fast-growing, easy-to-care-for trailing vines that are suited for hanging containers, planters, walls, trellises, and as a ground cover. If you are into light green or chartreuse and plum or purple foliage combinations, 'Marguerite' is a standout.
Agave Attenuata
Not to be confused with blue agave or Agave tequilana, an important cash crop for the Mexican state of Jalisco for making tequila. Agave attenuata is also a native of Mexico and grows well in the southwestern United States. It requires little water and performs well near the ocean or a swimming pool. Attenuata is also easy to propagate from cuttings or pups—a few large plants can multiply and become quite prolific in just a few years.
Hebe
This New Zealand native is sometimes sold under the name Veronica. The shrubbier hebes are exotic, striking plants that enhance poolside border landscaping. They prefer mild-winter zones and need regular water with good drainage.
For some varieties, the flowering season extends from early summer until the first frost. Dead-head flowers regularly for constant bloom. Hebes require shade in warmer climates.
Aeonium
Succulents are some of the least-understood plants, but in the western United States, they have been enjoying a surge in popularity. These green beauties areAeonium. Succulents come in all sizes and shapes and are the rising stars of drought-tolerant landscaping because they store water in their fleshy leaves, stems, and roots. Technically, the more-familiar cactus are succulents, although they require a desert habitat and have prickly spines. Not so with succulents, which do not all have spines.
Jade
In some regions, jade (Crassula ovata) is a popular houseplant; in others, it can grow almost like a weed and is extremely unfussy. It just needs a little watering now and then. Like all succulents, its foliage is packed with water; when it shrivels, you know it is asking for a drink. Jade is attractive, sturdy, and a hands-down trouble-free plant for your pool area landscaping.
Staghorn Fern
In the tropical regions from which they come, staghorn ferns (Platycerium superbum) can be found growing on trees. If you do not live in the tropics but are able to grow it in your zone, Staghorns do great mounted on wood slabs or bark, hanging baskets, or attached to trees. If you have a garden wall or pool house that gets filtered sunlight, this might be the scene-stealing plant for your pool area.
Creeping Jenny
This vigorous perennial is a European native that has been naturalized in eastern North America. Creeping Jenny acclimates quite well in many settings, including woodlands and partial shade gardens, or even the dry climate of southern California, (pictured). Lysimachia is a beautiful chartreuse color and grows well as a ground cover, climbing trellises, or spilling out of containers near the pool. Jenny can become a bit invasive, but since it is so pretty, color-loving gardeners are foregiving.
Schefflera
While scheffleras are natives to Australia, New Caledonia, southern Asia, Hawaii, and Taiwan, they have also adapted well to other regions, especially California and Florida. Smaller varieties are sold in nurseries and by florists as indoor plants in most regions.
Near a swimming pool, the schefflera performs really well, especially in moist, well-drained soil. Schefflera also goes by the name of Queensland Umbrella Tree and Octopus Tree. Combine it with other tropicals like hibiscus, cannas, and bromeliads.
You might want to consider a palm tree. Depending on the areasurrounding the pool. They have a small root ball so you won't haveto worry about the roots invading your pool 'wall'. There are manyvarieties which have little or no debris. And they are greatspecimens remember that a lot of them are SLOW growers, but doindeed get VERY tall, but take years to get there!
Palm trees (buy advanced ones if you can't wait for them togrow), banana trees, umbrella trees, NOT hibiscus (flowers drop andturn mushy really fast), NOT pine (one night I might have to gonext door and cut down the neighbours one- cursed pine needles),NOT eucalyptus (leaves fall all year round, so do branches,flowers, gumnuts and almost every other part of the tree), NOT boxtrees (same as eucalyptus but add the bark as well). NOT deciduoustrees at all (everything falls off them). Look for large leafed,tropical, non-fruiting (NOT citrus, although the fruit floatingaround the pool looks interesting for a short while), evergreen,non-flowering or at least very short flowering. Succulents can lookattractive around the pool, do not require much attention and aredifferent to the tropical look.
I can tell you from experience a tree not to plant around apool. That would be a pine tree. I have spent a numerous amount oftime vacuuming pine needles out of the pool.
Silk Oaks are also not the tree to plant around a pool. Palmsare the best and create a wonderful tropical retreat!
All deciduous or leaf bearing trees will lose their foliage inwinter to some extent depending greatly on your geographical area,the colder it gets the more they lose. And for some deciduous andall coniferous or pine trees there is a constant loss and regrowthprocess, It depends on what you are willing to put up with. Thereare many colorful ornamental trees that in a temperate climate willnot lose all their leaves such as the ornamental plum, and citrustrees, or maybe the magnolia which can add color and shade whilenot being all that dirty. But for ease of maintenance but not somuch for shade the palm is the favorite.
Depending on where you live is what type of tree you should getperiod. Sometimes some trees do not do well in certain climates butif you do have a pool, I could assume that you live some wheretropical. I would definitely recommend different types of palmtrees, such as, Sago palm, a Travelers palm, some three headedChristmas palms are a great addition to any pool area. I have a fewKing Palms and couple coconut palms and they make a statement.
Sycamores are not a good choice. The leaves are so large thateven commercial vacuums have a hard time getting the leaves out.You're looking at months of unswimable pool if the leaves get in.Trust me, I know.
What trees are good choices for planting in an area prone to brush fires?
Is planting a rock garden around trees bad for the trees?
How does planting trees help reduce the greenhouse effect?
Planting treas help reduce the green house effect because trees take in the carbon dioxide we put out, thus reducing the green house effect! That was a very good question and i am glad i could help! :-) Read More
What is the importance of the oxygen produced during the light reaction?
It is released to the environment; that's why people are always saying that planting trees is good for the environment. Read More
How long do runescape fruit trees take to grow?
The Times vary, it depends on the level of the fruit tree you plan on planting. but they usually take a good while. Read More
Why is Emma Roberts a good rolemodel?
She stays positive, helps the world by getting active and planting trees and she is just such a talented girl. HOpe this helped :D Read More
How does tree planting help the environment?
Because through photosynthesis trees turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is good because to much carbon dioxide is bad. Read More
What is tree plantation?
tree plantation is a big area that focuses on planting trees. IT is a good place for the environment and for us because they give out oxygen and we need oxygen to survive. Read More
How do you make good choices?
You make good choices by listening being good. Read More
When should you plant cherry trees?
It is important to know when planting cherry trees, keep the soil well drained and moderately acidic and the fertilizer can help in doing this as it helps in giving the soil natural acidity. Also, when planting it iss very important to know where to plant the tree. One important point to remember is these types of trees best grow where there is exposure to sunlight and warmer locations. So it is important you plant… Read More
What is the best grass seed for Indiana?
Tall Fescue, Red Fescue, Ryegrass/Annual/Perennial, KY Bluegrass, KY-31, and Bentgrass are a few good choices. Late summer/early fall planting of grass is considered better than spring planting. Fall planting gives new grass two complete growing seasons before it goes through the hot, dry summer of the following year. Read More
Why afforestation required?
Afforestation refers to planting of trees in order to replenish forest cover. It is a good way to ensure the land gets enough rainfall to support plant life. Afforestation also ensures that wildlife can get a good habitat to thrive. Read More
Selecting good planting materials?
What is the best was to preserve your planet?
Planting trees is a good way to preserve our planet. A Tree Instead gives you the opportunity of dedicate a tree in honor of a loved one.www.atreeinstead.com preserving the planet one tree at a time Read More
Spitting out seeds is good for what?
it is good for planting the seeds in the ground Read More
What kind of tree will cross pollinate your luscious pear tree?
Summercrisp, Patten, Parker, Ure and Golden spice are good choices with Summercrisp, Ure and Golden spice being good choices for the northern regions. Keep in mind that Luscious is pollen sterile so you may need 3 trees to get a fruit set on all. Read More
Is clay soil good for planting crops?
Is India soil good for planting?
Does Katy perry make good choices or bad choices?
What were harolds good choices in the Battle of Hastings?
his good choices were when he decided to march back down the south coast Read More
What is the Kaingin system?
The Kaingin System refers to the burning of trees for cultivation purposes. Kaingeros cultivate the area until such time that the soil is no longer good for planting. Then, they transfer to another area and burn the forest again. Read More
Why you should plant holly trees and bushes?
Planting holly bushes and shrubbery is always a good idea. Shrubs usually take very little special care to maintain, and they improve the appearance of any yard and home. Read More
How is planting a garden good for the environment?
Because the environment needs plants and plants need the environment.If the environment lost all plants, it would't exist. It would die,and so would we (Trees count as gardens, I think). Read More
How does the moon effect planting and fishing?
it effect planting in maori terms by when it is full it is a good time for pant ing and so on Read More
Was the Colonial Maryland weather good or bad for planting in the 1650's?
i think that the weather back then was really cold so probably not good for planting Read More
How are forest renewed after trees are cut down?
If just a few trees are selectively cut down, the forest can renew itself with new growth after some years. But if great swathes of trees are cut (clear-felling), then it is very difficult. Planting young trees, though a good thing to do, won't replace the mature trees for decades. If forests are cut down to plant some other crops, like palm oil, then the forests will never renew. Read More
Is sand clay and humus a good planting material?
How do you make a great environment in Animal Crossing wild world?
If you want a great environment in Animal Crossing, start by planting as many flowers as possible everyday. Plant the flowers everywhere! Also, make sure there is NO weeds, tires or cans anywhere in your town. Planting trees is also a good idea, but not too many. Read More
Are trees good for the soil?
What is the consequence of your thinking?
Good choices if your thinking is sound, and bad choices if your thinking is weak. Read More
Meaning of kaingin system?
The Kaingin System refers to the burning of trees for cultivation/farming purposes. Kaingeros cultivate the area until such time that the soil is no longer good for planting. Then, they transfer to another area and burn the forest again. Read More
Where in Atlanta Georgia can you find a chinaberry tree to plant?
Chinaberry trees are considered by many people to be poor choices for landscapes. Known asMelia azedarach, this deciduous tree is native to southeastern Asia and northern Australia. It was brought to the US in the 1800s as an ornamental tree. Since then, chinaberry has naturalized and spreads readily on its own, without the help of humans. Birds spread the copious seeds and the seedlings pop up crowding out native vegetation. The trees are brittle and… Read More
What is a sentence for irrigation?
Watering crops and planting them is a good Irrigation. Read More
Was New Jersey good for planting in colonial time?
Are Tamron lenses good choices compared with the Canon ones?
No, they are not better than Canon's choices. Read More
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Choices The Good the Bad the Ugly - 2004 was released on: USA: 2004 Read More
What does good jugement mean?
To make choices that will effect you in a good way Read More
What is the definition of kaingin system?
The Kaingin System refers to the burning of trees for cultivation purposes. It is illegal in some areas. Kaingeros cultivate the area until such time that the soil is no longer good for planting. Then, they transfer to another area and burn the forest again. Read More
Do you want afforestion?
Yes, afforestation (planting more trees) is the only way we know that humans can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (through photosynthesis). As carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas causing global warming, then afforestation can only be a good thing. Read More
What makes a tree?
By watering it daily planting it with good soil and have it in a good growing conditon. Read More
Why is it said trees are blessing in disguise?
Trees help the environment in so many ways. The country of Israel began a tree-planting campaign years ago, and the result was that a land of arid desert became a fertile field where now wonderful fruit trees grow, and the soil erosion has been averted. Planting enough trees can even cause climate change and improve the climate. Trees cut down on noise pollution, produce oxygen for us to breathe and use carbon dioxide which our… Read More
Why shouldn't cut trees?
Are scallops a good fertilizer for kumquat trees?
No, scallops are not good fertilizer choices for kumquat trees (C. japonica). Specifically, kumquats are citrus trees. They benefit from fertilizers that are designed especially for citrus trees. Otherwise, they favor slow-release, incomplete fertilizers. An incomplete fertilizer is lacking in one of the three macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In this case, a wise choice tends to be one-third slow release nitrogen in a formulation on the order of 12-0-12 or 15-0-14, in which phosphorus… Read More
What is the theme of the short story choices by susan kerslake?
One of the themes in the short story Choices by Susan Kerslake is to not to trust eveyone and make good choices in life. Read More
Are lesbians a good thing?
Lesbians are not good or bad. good and bad are choices that people make. Read More
What month is good for planting watermelons in Virginia?
April or May, depending on where you are in VA. Read More
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It's called the Fertile Crescent, because of extremely good soil and planting value. Read More
Are bad choices and good choices equally likely to have negative consequences?
It should be obvious that the reason we would consider a choice to be good is that it is likely to have good consequences, and similarly, we would consider a choice to be bad because it has bad consequences. There are also choices that are relatively inconsequential, which are a matter of taste, rather than being either good or bad. Read More
What is the habitat of a sloth?
Sloths have long claws which are good to help grip around trees. They move very slow and live in trees. Read More