The Art of Landscaping Around Your Pool

Written by alaglaspools

March 24, 2018

Landscaping around your pool can greatly enhance your backyard and help to create the outdoor oasis you’ve always dreamed of. In many cases, people are so concerned with the pool installation itself that they neglect to consider the landscaping design and add-on options.

THINK ABOUT LANDSCAPING WHEN YOU CHOOSE YOUR POOL

Landscaping and finishing touches should be considered at the same time as the pool model selection, to make sure you’ll have space for all the features you want.

A FEW TIPS…

When trying to bring color into your yard, make use of potted plants or incorporate planters of soil to break up the concrete, or decking that surrounds a pool, adding a splash of color, character, and texture.

In areas of soil where you can plant, consider choosing large plants to provide your space with a little more privacy, such as large palm trees or tall hedges.

Another aspect to consider is outdoor lighting, as it can enhance the appearance of your pool, while also creating a safer area in your yard.

COMBINE FLOWERS, SHRUBS AND COLORFUL ACCENTS FOR TEXTURE

Plants are essential to the look and feel of your backyard space, adding color and texture to draw the eye. We thought of a few “key” elements to consider when incorporating greenery and color into your poolside landscape.

POTTED PLANTS
Poolside Potted Planters with Colorful PlantsPotted plants are perfect for the perimeter of a pool. You can add a variety of potted plants into your design, such as succulents, annual or perennial flowers, and other small floral arrangements. Potted plants help you to add color without requiring much dedicated space, making them ideal for smaller areas.
In addition to the plants adding life to your surroundings, the pots you use can also add visual interest and complement your overall theme for the area. Blue pots match a Mediterranean theme, terra cotta or clay pots fit into a Mexican beach theme, and rectangular, metal or smooth concrete pots can set the tone for a more modern theme.

PLANTERS

Poolside PlantersIf you have space to dedicate to planting shrubs, bushes, flowers, or other plants, a built-in planter may be ideal. Using a planter helps to contain the dirt and soil so these items do not end up in your pool during periods of heavy rain or over-watering the plants.

A planter also raises the plants upward, attracting one’s attention to the various layers of your design. This creates multiple ranges of interest, rather than a singular viewing plane at the ground-level of your yard.

GRASS
Poolside Grass and Tree HedgesIf you have empty space around your pool, grass is a great way to fill in the area. It adds a rich, green texture to the outdoor space, helping to break up your concrete patio surroundings. Grass is also versatile and can be used by children playing outside, and even adults just wanting to lay back and relax in the sun.

BEST PLANTS TO USE AROUND POOLS & WHICH TO AVOID
Poolside Privacy Hedge, Bench and TreesWhen you are planting plants and trees around your pool, you will need to consider how much they shed, how safe it is, and what types of pests the plant may attract.

Plants that have lengthy floral displays, evergreen trees that do not shed many leaves, and ground covers are best used around a pool. Avoid using plants that bear fruit, attract bees, have thorns or barbs, as they drop their leaves.

PRIVACY

Poolside Privacy HedgeAs you landscape around your pool, you want to keep privacy in mind. You likely do not want your neighbors to be able to sit on their patio and watch you and your family swim or lounge around the pool. Here are a couple of landscaping elements that can help increase your privacy in the backyard and around your inground pool.

FENCING
Poolside Backyard FencingWhen landscaping around a pool, you may want to consider the two types of fencing: perimeter fences and pool safety fences.

Perimeter fences are used to define a person’s entire space, keep pets contained, and, at times, keep prying eyes out of your yard.

Poolside Safety FencingPool safety fences help to keep kids and/or pets away from the pool when the entry gate is closed, or when there is no adult supervision. Standard types of these safety fences are composed of wood, composite, metal, or combinations, that adds a design aspect.

LARGE & DENSE PLANTS
Poolside Fencing and HedgeAdditionally, you can create privacy around your pool through density. Dense shrubs and/or tall trees can be planted outside pool safety fences to keep people from looking through your wooden slats or openings that these types of fences typically have. Planting these types of trees and shrubs around a perimeter fence not only increases your privacy, but it can also help shade your outdoor space, keeping it cooler during the hot summer months.

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