Got The Quarantine Blues? Redesign Your Pool Area!
Since we are spending so much time enjoying the comforts of our own homes, we may also be noticing areas that might need a little work, or things we might want to upgrade with the extra time we’ve been “given.” How about updating your pool area with some lush and lovely plants? The right foliage can really transform it to your perfect tropical escape. Here are some tips for planting around a pool area.
The Best Plants to Install
Birds of Paradise add a tropical flair to this backyard pool.
Your backyard landscape should create a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere in which you can really unwind. For the best tropical paradise, you’ll want to add:
Plants that have some color - Perennials are a great option for the Florida pool, as they won’t die at the end of the season, so you can enjoy them year after year with less maintenance. Remember, in our state, you’ll most likely need to pick plants/flowers that enjoy full sun! Some good suggestions are day lilies, windflowers, or hibiscus.
Plants that create privacy - If you have a fence, a sprawling vine plant might be a good option, like a passion flower vine. If you need to create privacy with plants instead of a fence, you may consider clumping bamboo, large plants like Birds of Paradise, or wide palms such as the Bismarckia palm variety.
Plants that add texture - To add some visual interest, you’ll want to add texture to the landscape around the pool. Combining ornamental grasses, cactuses, flowering plants and other foliage will really help the design pop. To add the most texture, create layers with different sizes and styles of plants. Install a variety of plant types, like combining grasses with leafy and flowering varieties.
This palm garden is the perfect fit for a fenced yard to gain a tropical feel.
Pool-Friendly Trees
Adding trees to your pool landscape is a great idea as they provide both shade and privacy. Look for varieties that don’t shed leaves into your pool all day (or onto your pool cage), like palms or citrus trees. It’s also important that you choose a tree with shallow roots if planting nearby your pool, so the root system doesn’t become a problem later on.
What to Avoid Around Pool Areas
The two main things you want to stay away from when working around a pool are plants that thrive in the shade, because your pool is likely in abundant sun, and plants that drop a lot of leaves. Pesky leaves can make your pool dirty and clog filters. According to our expert article, plants you should avoid around pools include:
Acacia
Azalea
Bougainvillea
Crape myrtle
Dwarf arborvitae
Honeysuckle
Ash trees
Evergreen elm
Mesquite
You want your finished area to be not only relaxing and lush but low maintenance. Stick to color foliage that can survive our Florida climate and add finishing touches like feature lighting to really make it pop. Hopefully, finishing the landscaping around your pool area will give you a project to see you through self-distancing time, and when we come out the other side, you’ll have a fantastic yard to enjoy for years to come!
