As the salt seeps into the ground, plant roots soak it up with the groundwater. Hibiscus is a thirsty plant, so be sure to provide plenty of water. •Fertilize carefully; spills can stain pool plaster.  Bird of paradise is an excellent choice for poolscaping—it does not shed and is strong enough to tolerate splashing (in moderation, of course). Saltwater generators actually turn table salt into chlorine to keep your pool clean and algae-free. Plants around the pool must be able to withstand the high light reflection off the water. Planting around a pool can provide much needed shade and wind protection, privacy and an aesthetic balance to what might otherwise be a harsh landscape feature. Think bromeliads, agaves, aloe, yucca and cycads. They grow quite well and the best thing is that they require very little maintenance. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Choosing the Best Landscaping for Pool Areas, 21 Best Cactus Plants to Grow in Your Garden, 20 Best Tall Plants for Container Gardens, 15 Best Zone 7 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 12 Fall Plants for Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets, 10 Best Annual Flowers for the Cool Season. Plants will need more frequent irrigation and should be heat loving and drought tolerant. Not to be confused with blue agave or Agave tequilana, an important cash crop for the Mexican state of Jalisco for making tequila, Agave attenuata is also a native of Mexico and grows well in the southwestern United States. Succulents have been traditionally overlooked in American gardens, but in the western United States, they have been enjoying a surge in popularity. Proteas can grow in areas that are rocky and nutrient-poor, and they should not be fertilized. Call Support 1300 799 109 Depending on the location of the pool, you plant choice may be dictated by the environment in terms of privacy, wind factor, or ground coverage. As with many things in life, too much can do more harm than good. Agave attenuate,Bromeliads, Echiums, Cycads and a mixture of palms which provide good shade. In the right conditions, Cyperus papyrus (Egyptian papyrus, papyrus sedge or papyrus grass) can create a mood—lush, tropical, and exotic. If you are looking to have a pool installed or wanting to create a gorgeous design for your existing pool that includes a lot of foliage, it’s important to have a good idea of what plants will look great without causing issues in the future. In some regions, jade is a popular houseplant; in others, it can grow almost like a weed and is extremely unfussy. But, if you choose carefully and select plants that can stand up to these conditions, you can have a lovely and colorful garden all season. It looks similar to a banana plant, has an upright growth habit, and 2-foot-long leaves. If you are thinking of going the tropical-oasis route, a bird of paradise will get you there quickly. Trees or plants that shed small leaves will be your worst nightmare! A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean. Choose hardy, sun and heat tolerant plants. This New Zealand native is sometimes sold under the name Veronica. Raise container plants off the hot surface with rollers or saucers. Like the banana, Strelitzia reginae needs shelter from strong winds or its leaves can rip. By comparison, there’s 35,000 ppm in the ocean. These orange tropical beauties are proteas (Banksia.) A heated pool can raise humidity levels, and intense sunlight can fry nearby landscaping. This vigorous perennial is a European native that has been naturalized in eastern North America. Not all plants will flourish in the environment around a swimming pool so opt for species to suit the chlorine or salt water conditions. Dilution of the salt and chlorine is necessary to reduce the amounts that settle into the soil. Vines. Segment the area into the different levels and choose plants that will stand out at each level. When designing your pool and patio landscaping, remember that some areas need not be plants at all. All parts of the Angel's Trumpet plant are toxic and poisoning can occur from ingestion and even touching the plant. The shrubbier hebes are exotic, striking plants that enhance poolside border landscaping. ; Nerissa Hannink; July 2005. A pool is a must-have in Perth – it’s hard to get through those 40+ degree days without one! Try using planters with dark foliage that contrast with magnolias, and giant lilyturf covering the ground. Pair it with tall and skinny Equisetum 'Horsetail,' which also likes water and has an exotic feel. Most of the plants in this list grow best in warmer climates (USDA Zones 9 to 11). If your pool area receives full sun for most of the day, choose species that cope well with lots of sunshine and heat, especially if you have a saltwater pool. Add other tropicals—like hibiscus, cannas, and low-growing palms—with proteas for a tropical paradise. Examples of the alkaline-tolerant plants that are ideal for pool landscaping are some species of cyclamen, salvia, juniper, hibiscus, dianthus, viburnum, hydrangea and lavender. When you plan your own island-like oasis, lush landscaping around the pool area with trees, plants and bushes provides just the right appearance. In the right zones (mostly southwestern) they can be grown as shrubs, reaching a height of up to 2 feet (60 cm) with 4-inch-long leaves. After attending the University of Missouri St. Louis, Stephanie Rempe worked as a documentation manager in the finance industry 10 years before turning to her first love, writing, which she's been doing professionally since 2008. Illustration: The Spruce / Brianna Gilmartin. Its horizontal stripes give it an exotic look that goes well with tropical landscaping. Bird of paradise is easy to grow inside, so if you're in a cooler climate, overwinter the plant and move it outside in summer. It also does fairly well in a clay soil that has been amended—the clay helps it retain dampness, which it loves. Lysimachia is a beautiful chartreuse color and grows well as a ground cover, climbing trellises, or spilling out of containers near the pool. Creeping Jenny acclimates quite well in many settings, including woodlands and partial shade gardens, or even the dry climate of southern California, (pictured). When you combine shrubs with trees in your poolside landscaping, it provides depth to the overall appearance. If you have a salt water pool, you may choose plants that are tolerant of high salt levels in splashout water and in the soil around the pool. • Many plants tolerate some splashing of chlorinated water, but occasionally flush the soil to avoid salt buildup. List of Full-Sun Plants for a Pool Area. It will stay fresh and open in a vase long enough to enjoy for the evening. Echeverias are succulent perennials from Mexico that feel to the touch like a cross between felt and velvet. Bananas are fast-growing herbaceous perennials or trees with tropical-looking long, broad leaves. Like many flower hybrids, Lady Washington pelargoniums have great cultivar names such as 'Raspberry Swirl,' 'Imperial,' and 'Excaliber. ; 2001. While scheffleras are natives to Australia, New Caledonia, southern Asia, Hawaii, and Taiwan, they have also adapted well to other regions, especially California and Florida. These green beauties are Aeonium. Add height to the landscaping around your pool with vining plants. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Surrounding your saltwater pool with plants provides a natural appearance, but some species can be significantly harmed by saltwater exposure. There are various saltwater pool plants you can choose from that can handle the average dousing from splashing water. Senecio Serpens - Blue Chalk Sticks Thorns. Hebes require shade in warmer climates. If they are stored in a cool, dark, frost-free place, they can survive all winter and regrow the following spring. • Fertilize carefully ; spills can stain pool plaster. Dead-head flowers regularly for constant bloom. These plants can be brought indoors over the winter and allowed to go dormant. They are easy to care for, not too messy, grow quickly, blend nicely with other plants, and create a striking form, day or night. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Technically, the more-familiar cactus are succulents, although they require a desert habitat and have prickly spines. Additionally, salt naturally absorbs water. hey drop leaves, they get damaged by the water, or they just don’t look appropriate in a poolside setting. Areas of river stone or lava rock can add a low-maintenance separation between planting beds. Choosing plants that can survive while submerged in water can give the pool its natural look. Pamla J. Eisenberg / Flickr / CC by 2.0. Saltwater pool generators can release backwash into the ground around the equipment. Between splashes of chlorinated water, reflected heat, foot traffic, and often winter neglect, they take plenty of abuse. Brugmansia, commonly known as angel's trumpet, also has a heavenly scent, making it a stunning pool-area shrub or tree. If you can grow Hawaii's state flower in your zone, then go for it—you have many species to choose from, with dreamy names like 'White Wings,' 'Crown of Bohemia,' 'Kona Princess,' and 'Flamenco Flame.' The key to smart poolside garden design is to find strong plants that can withstand your pool's microclimate, are easy to maintain, and still look good. As a general rule of thumb, horticulturalists tend to recommend plants with silvery, furry or waxy leaves. Salt tolerant. of salt for every 1,000 gallons of water. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Hawaiian Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'), Martha Washington Geranium (Regal pelargonium), Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (I. batatas ). Marthas sometimes look like exotic tropical flowers and orchids. The future pool site should be earmarked for temporary gardens or as a play area, but don’t plant trees or erect any structures that will be difficult or expensive to remove. Banksias hail originally from Australia. Proteas are usually stiff and prickly to the touch but also hardy and long-lasting. Some plants can tolerate some degree of salt water, such as the amount splashed outside of a saltwater pool. Cordyline: A hardy plant that can be planted near a chlorinated or salt water pool, cordylines have vibrant pink, red and green waxy leaves. Bird of Paradise. Papyrus likes water and can live in bogs and shallow ponds. Some plants can tolerate some degree of salt water, such as the amount splashed outside of a saltwater pool. Multi-level planting:if the area is steep around your pool you can adopt a tired approach. They would also be a nice addition to planters near your pool or spa, mixed in with other succulents and some ornamental grasses for an attractive, low-maintenance display. Heavy rainfall takes care of this process naturally. Also plan ahead for access to the site, as digging equipment will need to be brought in and soil and rocks removed during the excavation and pool installation process. Choosing plants to go near a swimming pool should take a certain amount of time, research, and consideration. Striking and curved like kangaroo paws, the perennials come in many varieties and lovely colors, including 'Bush Gold,' 'Bush Emerald,' and 'Bush Lantern' (bright yellow). When there are increased amounts of salt in the soil, the salt absorbs the water intended to nourish plants. The area around the pool may be tiled or concrete, but either way it gets super hot. In colder climates, consider growing hibiscus in a container and overwinter the plant inside near a window. They will create endless clean up and can wreak havoc on your water balance and filter. The result is the dehydration of plants. Like all succulents, its foliage is packed with water; when it shrivels, you know it is asking for a drink. Martha Washington geraniums are usually only available for about six weeks or so in late spring. Take my word for it, climbing back behind a Spanish bayonet yucca to retrieve an errant volleyball is no fun. Also, keep in mind that plants will likely get splashed with chlorine and other pool and spa chemicals. These 18 plants are all good choices for pool landscaping; check carefully, though, to be sure they are right for your climate and soil conditions. Too much salt inhibits the protein production that affects leaf growth. Ornamental grasses, in general, are excellent choices for poolside landscaping. Choose plants that are common along ocean areas, like Century Plant or Alejandro Bayer Tamayo / Flickr / CC by 2.0. 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