Landscape Ideas: Garden Design for a Swimming Pool Area - Gardenista
Landscape Ideas: Garden Design for a Swimming Pool Area - Gardenista
Photography by Matthew Williams for Gardenista, except where noted.
Landscaping a swimming pool area is a different challenge for everyone, just as the design of each house and garden is unique.
Succulents are a good design choice; they stay green year-round and won’t shed leaves into the water. Choose a planting theme, such as modern or tropical, and of course, keep in mind your existing landscape and home architecture so that all the elements complement one another.
What is the first step to take when landscaping a pool area?
What are the best low-maintenance pool landscape plants?
Tropical plants are suitable for a swimming pool area in a warm climate such as Los Angeles.
Edging a swimming pool in Los Angeles, black Cantera stone pavers set in a herringbone pattern are “grouted” with plugs of turfgrass.
What are the best pool landscape plants for privacy?
Start at the fence line and landscape your way in, incorporating different layers and heights and being mindful of deciduous trees that in winter may suddenly open up an unwanted view.
What safety issues should I consider when choosing pool landscape plants?
A tightly clipped hedge of Pittosporum tobira at water’s edge creates privacy without blocking views. Despite my deep loyalty and support for pollinators, I suggest avoiding plants adored by bees to minimize accidental stings.
What size plants are best for a swimming pool area?
Garden designer Matthew Brown judiciously pruned mature California pepper trees (Schinus molle) to create an airy canopy around a new swimming pool in Los Angeles.
Also, consider a plant’s height at maturity so your chosen plant does not overtake the pool space or become a pool intruder that hangs over the edge of the water.
What fragrant plants are best for a swimming pool area?
Photograph by Olga Berrio via Flickr.
Jasmine and roses. Also consider night-scented flowers: Your after-hour swims could be enhanced by flowers that release their sweetness at night and add a luminous glow.
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