Pool Design - Surrounds, Part #3

So far in our Pool Design series we have touched on location, fencing, decking and paving. Now it’s time for plants!

Plant choices for around your pool need careful consideration. Regardless of your intended aesthetic outcome elements such as leaf size, root depth and hardiness are critical when making your selection.

Create your own hidden, tropical, paradise with close plantings of broad-leaf varieties.

Leaf size matters. Small leaves will make a nice job of clogging the filter, increasing maintenance time and costs. A broad leaf shrub will not only create a lush environment, the clean up will be so much easier. Your pool filter will thank you, also!

Topiary shrubs create a neat, manicured aesthetic.

Invasive roots can cause very expensive problems for your pool. As tree roots grow and take hold under the ground, they cause the pool surrounds to buckle and compromise the integrity of the pool structure. To avoid any underground root problems, trees are best kept away from the immediate surrounds of your pool and kept to a minimum.

Broad-leafed plants soften the pool surrounds.

To assist in the maintenance of the shrubs around your pool you will need an irrigation system to help dilute the pool water that splashes over them. The shrubs will also need to enjoy growing in wet soil as they are watered not only by the irrigation system but those good old fashioned water bombs!

In the interest of achieving the best outcome for your landscape design, make sure you let your Landscape Architect know from the outset your intention to include a pool in your backyard. This way they can include the pool and plant selection in the design, giving you a more comprehensive design outcome and realistic budgetary forecast.

Images: 1 Pinterest, 2 Biesot, 3 Seed Landscape Design