Here at J&S Landscape in Boulder, we often provide tips for adding landscaping around your pool. We know that if you want the landscaping around your pool to work well, there’s much to consider. Not only do you want it to look great, but it should also function well when sharing space with your pool.
Here are some tips for adding landscaping around your pool.
Shedding Plants
At first, it may seem like accomplishing landscaping around your pool should be easy. Pick out a few plants you like, get them planted, and you’re done. Right? Not so fast. First, you need to consider the plant’s cycle through the seasons. For example, many fruit and flower trees might be great for providing some beautiful pool shade, until they shed their fruits and flowers and make cleaning your pool a bit of a nightmare. Picking beautiful plants that keep your pool clean is an important consideration.
Potential Scrapes and Pricks
Some plants, while beautiful, may create other issues for you and your pool guests. Plants with thorns, spikes, and stickers are on this list. You don’t want kids enjoying your pool to end up with scrapes and scratches when accidentally brushing up against your rose bush. Plants you may want to avoid include cacti, succulents, blackberry bushes, roses, bougainvillea, barberry, and pyracantha.
Attracting Bees?
Some of the prettiest plants can create a surprising number of uninvited guests. Think about whether you really want our friendly pollinators hanging out around your pool. They are great for your garden, but not your pool. Plants you will want to strike from your list include bottlebrush, honeysuckle, cosmos, columbine, delphinium, oregano, lavender, salvias, larkspur, wisteria, sweet clovers, larkspur, and Queen Ann’s lace.
Other Considerations
For pool plants and landscaping, smaller may be better. You want to look at not just the current size of the plant, but the eventual size it will become. That tiny sprout has the potential to have a height of 10 feet or maybe a 6-foot width. Final size is key to keeping plants from destroying your pool structure. You also want to understand the plant’s root system. Roots can ruin not just your pool but also your related plumbing. Know what the root system of your landscaping will end up being.
Deciduous or Evergreen?
Deciduous plants shed on a regular basis. This can mean a great deal of sweeping and cleaning. Evergreens keep their leaves year round. Less cleaning of your pool area will keep your pool in better shape and make upkeep easier on you.
Buy Local—Choose Native Plants
Exotic plants are very tempting but frequently a waste of money and time. It is important that any plant you choose will thrive in its environment. An exotic plant may be a wise choice if it has been thoroughly researched and suitable to your area. Choosing native plants assures that you are purchasing plants that are suited to your region and it avoids any unexpected problems.
With these tips for adding landscaping around your pool, you will be better informed about what to choose. Contact us at J&S Landscape and we can help you with your plant choices and your pool landscape needs whether you live in Boulder, Broomfield, Fort Collins or the surrounding communities.