Before you landscape your swimming pool, it’s imperative to have in mind, the overall look you’re aiming for in the best combination of both function and form. Once you have done that, you are ready to pick the components required for a good pool landscape such as plants, decking or lighting which are all excellent options for added ambiance to your pool.

Pool Plants

Let’s face it, plants will add a lot of beauty to your pool’s landscape, but it pays to ensure you don’t choose plants that will shed leaves, seeds, or other debris that can fall into your pool. You don’t want to spend their time clearing and cleaning your pool just because the wrong plants were installed. Likewise, insect-attracting plants such as fruit trees can bug swimmers. Another major factor is to ensure the installed plants are colorful and lush in order to create the look of a beautiful oasis. For the above reasons, select plants based on the fact that they are both litter-free and wonderful to look at.

Best Plants to Install Around Pool:

• Queen Palm
• Papyrus
• Bird of Paradise
• Fortnight Lily
• Day Lily
• Hibiscus
• Apaganthus
• And others

Avoid These Plants Around Pool

– because of shedding, thorns, root growth, overgrowing, etc:

• Mesquite
• Azalea
• Honeysuckle
• Ashtrees
• Evergreen elm
• Crape myrtle
• Acacia
• Bougainvillea
• Dwarf Arborvitae

Finally, take into account what surrounds your pool. For instance, if you already have a lot of trees on the property, adding plants around your pool may not be necessary.

Pool Lighting

Pool lighting adds both beauty and safety effects. A combination of tree up lights, path lights, led fountain lights, and spotlights offer a well-illuminated and beautiful look to pool areas. For an extra glow, you can add string patio lights. To save energy, make use of low-voltage LED systems for landscape lighting to light stairs or paths. Solar lights for landscaping can also be used as they are easy to maintain and will remain lit into the evening around the pool. Other lighting options include fire elements such as fire pits, bowls, and others for entertainment.

Fencing Around Pool

The main reasons pool owners add a fence is often because of privacy and children safety. The type of fence you choose depends on your aesthetic preference, but options include PVC, wood, aluminum, etc, which can be molded into various styles. Because salt can corrode some fencing materials, you also need to know and put into consideration whether or not you have a saltwater or chlorine pool before adding a fence.

Shade Structures

The options to consider when thinking of shade structures to add to your pool area includes arbors, pergolas, gazebos, pool houses, etc. Pool houses and guest cabanas are the most popular options which give swimmers a place to relax when they’re not in the pool. The big wind sail covers are also really nice looking and cover a big area.

Boulders

Remember to put boulders in context to your pool’s design. If you are not going for a natural look, boulders may seem out of place. If you use boulders, then it’s best to group them around the pool and include them among lush landscaping otherwise they’ll look too plain against your pool.

Ultimately, convenience, comfort, fun and beauty are all part of the decision process when it comes to pool landscaping, so select based on personal taste and how you use your pool and, the rest will fall in place.