Tips for Stunning Poolside Landscaping

Now that you’ve decided to get an outdoor pool, you’ll want to turn your thoughts to pool landscaping.

Here’s how to create a poolscape that’s private, relaxing, beautiful, and functional. Enjoy these tips for stunning poolside landscaping.

Start with Pool Privacy

If your pool can be seen from the street or by backyard neighbors, you’ll want privacy screening. You may love having your neighbors over for dinner, but that doesn’t mean you want them watching you whenever you take a dip or spend family time outdoors.

Privacy Hedges

Tall hedges work well as an elegant privacy screen. If you want the extra security of an actual property fence, install fast-growing trees in front of the fence for a more aesthetic appeal.

Evergreens work well for privacy screening. Select non-shedding evergreens that won’t litter your pool area with falling needles.

Read about the best privacy trees for New Jersey landscapes and learn about:

Evergreen privacy trees and shrubs
Other privacy and shade trees
Flowering and deciduous privacy shrubs
Best vines for privacy

Low Hedges

Low hedges won’t create total privacy, but they can attractively define different backyard areas, including separate zones for dining or relaxing. This way, regardless of your activity, you’ll always be in full view of the pool.

Select Plants Thoughtfully

You should always be careful when selecting plants for your landscape, but it’s even more important when you’re selecting plants for your pool area.

Trees can damage pool structures. Flowers can attract too many insects. Chlorinated water can damage some plants.

There are a number of things to consider.

Basic guidelines for selecting plants for your pool’s landscape include:

They should complement the rest of your property’s landscape design
They should be safe for children and pets
They should be easy to maintain

Tips about Trees

If you love being near trees, simply install them at a safe distance from the pool. Otherwise, leaves, buds, fruit, and cones will constantly fall into the water.

Check for the tree’s expected final height and width before you purchase it. Make sure that it won’t grow so tall or wide that it will eventually overhang the pool itself.

Select trees or shrubs with small root systems. A plant that develops an extensive root system can eventually crack a pool’s wall or flooring. You don’t want to have to cut down a beloved tree because it’s damaging your pool.

Select Fragrant Plants

A pleasant, natural fragrance adds ambiance to any location. Consider selecting some fragrant vines, trees, and shrubs for your yard. Plant them near the pool’s patio or alongside your outdoor dining area.

However, not everyone loves strongly scented flowering plants. Allergies should also be a consideration. Talk to family members and friends before selecting a particularly fragrant plant.

Read about the best flowering and ornamental trees to grow in New Jersey.

Ornamental Grasses Add Life to Your Landscape

Ornamental grasses add graceful motion to your landscape. They are fun to watch as they sway in gentle breezes. These grasses usually do well in the heat and light around pool areas and need little maintenance.

Select Flowers Thoughtfully

Bees and other pollinators enjoy many local wildflowers. So be careful when selecting plants. Place them away from the walkways, the immediate pool area, and lounging and dining areas.

Marigolds keep some bugs away such as mosquitoes—but attract honeybees. They come in a variety of colors, including orange, yellow and red.

Hardscaping Adds Beauty and Function

While greenery is important for your poolscape, a pool area needs to serve many functions.

Here are some hardscaping ideas to add function and elegance to your pool area.

Walkways

Walkways are essential to get safely from one place to the other. You can build walkways using pavers or other materials. However, it’s best to use light colors for the walkways so that stones won’t be hot and uncomfortable for bare feet.

Line walkways with flowers or bushes to add charm and interest to your yard.

Patios and Seating Areas

Provide seating areas on various sides of your pool, since shaded and sunny areas move as the day progresses. Several patio areas will give everyone a comfortable place to relax whether they want to soak up the sun or cool down in the shade.

Feature a Fountain

Add a fountain as a focal point in your yard, to make your pool area more elegant and relaxing.

The calming effects of flowing water, as well as its ability to energize people, are widely recognized.

Your fountain should meet the design of your home, whether it’s traditional, modern, Victorian, or something else. You can construct fountains using stone, metal, or other materials.

An attractive and inviting water feature will add value to your home, as well.

Consider a Pergola or Gazebo

Both pergolas and gazebos offer an escape from the sun. A pergola has a slatted roof, but still offers some shade, depending on its structure. A gazebo has a complete roof and provides total shade.

These desirable structures add visual interest and elegance to any outside area.

Include Rocks or Boulders

Incorporate rocks and boulders into your pool area for a natural-feeling landscape. Boulders give a sense of permanence, which encourages feelings of relaxation and calm.

Rocks and boulders are great for landscaping because they: