Planting lush greenery around a pool adds color and beauty while softening the look of its coping and surrounding areas. Planting trees or bushes around it also serves as natural privacy screens, especially in more northern climates.
Select drought-tolerant plants like cacti and desert trees for hot, arid environments. Or opt for perennial blooming varieties like lavender or nepeta to bring color even during the harshest winters.
Geometric Pavers
Pool landscape installations differ significantly from typical backyard projects in that they involve more hardscape and stone elements that can make for a daunting design challenge when trying to achieve a cohesive feel within the space.
One way to create an environment with seamless aesthetic is using pavers, whether concrete or travertine, in various shapes, sizes and colors. Pavers can also be arranged into various paving patterns such as the stacked bond pattern or running bond pattern for use within a seamless environment.
An alternative approach to designing the pool space can be using pavers in an eye-catching geometric paving pattern that enhances its shape. You could do this by laying square or rectangular pavers zigzagging around its perimeter and adding other shapes for lounges and tables – this gives the pool an updated aesthetic, while working well with minimalistic water and fire features.
Wooden Steps
Though traditional pool steps may clash with the natural dynamics of a swimming hole, wooden ones make an elegant complement and provide an easy access to your pool. Furthermore, wooden steps make an ideal solution for shaded areas as they help keep temperatures down while simultaneously limiting debris that falls into your water source.
Palm trees create a tropical ambience while providing ample shade. Plus, with minimal leaf drop, skimming the pool should not take much effort! For those living in mild frost-free regions who wish to add another pop of color and grow quickly: add banana trees as part of your pool landscape as they’ll quickly add the festive look that you need for any poolside garden design project!
Choose low maintenance shrubs and bushes when selecting plants for the yard surrounding your pool. Gene suggests choosing rhamphiolepis as it grows dense evergreen foliage that provides year-round privacy, beauty, and tolerance of dry conditions well. Also try mondo grass which works great as part of a flower garden or around its perimeter.
Fire Pits
An outdoor fire pit can add an exciting and enjoyable element to your pool landscaping, serving as an ideal gathering spot after swimming and for casual BBQ’s with family and friends. Not to mention you have the choice of various designs to match the aesthetic of your yard!
Plants and flowers make an attractive addition to any pool landscaping scheme, as long as they can survive in direct sunlight and withering moisture droplets. Choose flowering plants that offer various colors throughout the year for increased interest; succulents have stunning geometric forms which add visual interest as well.
If you prefer a minimalist aesthetic, create an easy-care garden around your pool featuring natural greenery and an easy paver walkway with organic elements like moss or grass between pavers for easier foot traffic across. Make it easier for guests to navigate across with bare feet!
Grass Patches
If you want your backyard pool landscape to feel more like an exotic vacation than just another concrete water pit, look for plants and flowers that thrive in your local climate or microclimates. Hibiscus flowers blooming during the summer will add vibrancy while ferns, creeping phlox, winter jasmine and yucca add texture and interest.
Add grass patches between pavers and around the edges of your pool for an authentic, lush appearance. Select low maintenance ornamental grasses which blend easily into an irregular pool edge.
If you want your grass to thrive, remove the plastic tarps that cover the surface of your pool. Tarps block sunlight, inhibiting photosynthesizing. Instead, choose lighter gravel which better hides material like grass clippings and small sticks while providing cooler walking surface conditions compared to plastic tarps.
