The trick to creating attractive pool landscaping designs, whether your on a tight budget or not, is to choose a theme for the area. This not only gives your pool landscape a balanced, put-together look, it also stops you from buying a bunch of plants or décor you end up never using. Here are four pool landscaping designs to spark your imagination.
The Tropical Look
Whether you live in southern Florida or central British Columbia, there are tropical or “tropical type” plants that can lend your pool area the sunny, relaxed atmosphere of a tropical paradise. Naturally, if live along the coast of Australia, the Mediterranean, California or Florida you’ll be able to choose from dozens of native tropicals.
For everyone else, though, there are cold hardy palms, ferns, banana trees, and plants with big leaves and boldly colored flowers characteristic of tropical regions.
Making Friends with the Natives
One of the cheapest easiest to maintain pool landscaping designs you can create is one that uses native plants and is designed to blend in with the natural landscape around your home. This works particularly well if you’re in a rural area with no immediate neighbors. In the Mid West, tall grasses mirror the look of the plains. In the New England, potted native wild flowers will go well on the patio.
The Secret Garden
Want to create your own private getaway in your backyard? Then this design’s for you. It works especially well around small and above ground swimming pools, but can be done anywhere. You’ll need relatively tall plants and medium height trees with dense foliage. (Just make sure you don’t block out all the sunshine trying to create privacy.)
A privacy fence draped in a trailing vine is also a must. Then use a chaise lounge and low table to create a cozy poolside lounging area where you can sunbathe undisturbed by the world outside.
The Night Swimmer’s Garden
Planning on going for a regular midnight dip or having as many summer pool parties as humanly possible? Then this is the design for you. Creative use of lighting in and around is one of the main factors, including things like fiber optic strips on the pool steps, lighted pool fountains, and unusual fixtures for you path lighting. Night-blooming flowers like Moonflower (Ipomoea alba), night phlox (Phlox ‘Midnight Candy’) and the tropical Mrs. George C. Hitchcock water lily are also important in this design.
These are just a few of the pool landscaping designs that make your pool area more attractive even if you’re on a budget. The trick to choosing a design that will work well for you is to consider what you want most from your pool (a relaxing retreat, fun with the kids, parties with friends) and look for pool landscaping designs that best suited to that goal.
