Perfect Pool Landscaping

Unless you’re planning on hiring a gardener, creating a pool landscape design that won’t become a time and money pit should be one of the top priorities when you’re considering what to do with the land around your pool. After all, if you’re like most people, you had a pool put in so you could relax and have fun, not spend more time doing yard work. Here are some ways to make sure your pool landscape design doesn’t take up too much time.

Choose Native Plants

Plants native to your local area invariably take less time and effort too care for than those from other regions. In Texas, a bed of drought-tolerant bluebonnets will look just as good take a lot less effort to keep up than a bed of thirsty New England bleeding hearts. The exception is when you live in a tropical area where native plants will have your yard looking like a full-grown jungle in a few years. In this case, you can cut down on maintenance by choosing slower growing non-native plants.

Use Quality Building Material

If you’re on a budget for your pool landscape design, it can be tempting to look for a cheaper, look-alike material instead of springing for the highest quality. It’s fine to keep an eye out for sales and rebate offers, trying to save money by buying low quality decking, pavers, fences, or other building material will almost always backfire on you.

The cheapo stuff usually doesn’t last as long meaning you’ll either have to repair it more often or replace it sooner. To save money and time in the long run, buy the highest quality material your budget will allow.

Combine Hardscapes and Container Plantings

While hardscapes like patios, decks, and walkways are easier to maintain, they tend to look a little bleak even with the most attractive, colorful pavers. The solution to soften the look of the hardscape around your pool is to use potted and hanging container plants.

Remember, you have a lot more than big terracotta pots to work with. You could plant in small pots and arrange them on a tiered plant-stand or set up an elegant hanging plant stand to hold a pot of trailing vines. Just keep in mind that container plants do need to be watered daily.

Planning a low-maintenance pool landscape design now will pay off this summer when you’ll be free to spend your time lounging by the poolside instead of trimming grass and pulling weeds. With the right balance of hardscapes and native plants, you can create a beautiful pool landscape design that takes minimal effort to keep it looking good.