Pool It! Let Your Landscape Make A Splash

by Dawn Oldfield, CCMGA Public Relations Chairperson

There is something about water that is soothing to the soul. Small or large, water elements offer a source of reflection in our outdoor living areas. Sometimes it's still and quiet, the trickling, tinkling sounds bringing peace and tranquility to our hearts and minds. Other times, it's alive with the sound of splashing, children at play shouting "Marco-polo", jarring every last adult nerve.

Frolicking, squealing tweens and teens is what you found at my house more often than not when I was growing up. We moved to Texas when I was a kid and my parents wisely decided a swimming pool was exactly what our family needed. On any given summer day, you would find countless friends and me splish-splashing the hours away. Add a rambunctious dog, errant volleyballs, and you had F-U-N!

The one major dilemma my folks faced was selecting landscaping that could stand up to the abuse (err…fun) of children yet still look good, lending that sense of "take-me-away" elegance they wanted. Non-versed in Southern gardening, and before the era of EarthKind and Texas Superstars, there probably weren't many options available to them at the time.

Red Tip Photinia lined the fence, and a pint-sized Live Oak was planted for future shade (more on that choice later!) Otherwise, Mondo Grass was the landscape plant of choice. Nothing special, but it served a purpose, softening the concrete edges. The dark green, grass-like plant is evergreen in our area. It's also tough, seemingly not minding daily drowning in chlorine water or being trampled by kids, balls, and dogs alike.

Whether you already have a swimming pool and your landscaping needs an update, or you're planning to install one and are starting with a clean slate, design is critical. Your outdoor space should reflect your personality. And a good plan will save you time and money. Determining your desired landscape style is key to designing the perfect area.

What does the rest of the yard/garden look like?
What is the style or shape of the pool?
Is it formal or natural with boulders, etc.?

It is important to pick the right plants. Choose plants that thrive in our climate and are the correct size and scale for your planting area. Continually pruning an overly large plant to keep it small or sweeping up debris only creates unnecessary work and unhappy plants and people. Avoid plants around the pool that make lots of trash.

Crape Myrtles, deciduous shade trees, and magnolias are messy. Live Oaks may be considered "evergreen," but they also drop leaves, catkins and acorns. Hollies can be good choices around a pool, but watch out for plants with berries, as they can stain decking. Wax Myrtles are popular for a tropical look but have leaf drop.

There is a big misconception that you can't have a lush garden in Texas. There is a large choice of natives, perennials, and annuals that combined can create so many different looks. You want to be careful of spikey, cactus, or thorny plants in an area where kids play. Also, take into consideration that while many flowering plants invite hummingbirds and butterflies, they also have great potential for attracting bees and wasps, which are not welcome pool guests.

Dreaming of the Caribbean? Popular tropical plants to help create that vacation oasis include allamanda, bougainvillea, canna, elephant ear, hibiscus, lantana, oleander (poisonous if eaten), Purple Heart, mandevilla, and umbrella (cyperus). Palms are often used as structural interest, but may not always be the best choice as our winters are often too harsh for them, and our soil is not their favorite. Most tropical plants need to be brought indoors during winter months in our part of the state.

Crave a cottage garden? Consider boxwoods and fuss-free perennials like coreopsis, daylily, purple Echinacea, penta, lambs ear, Shasta daisy, verbena, yarrow, and fragrant rosemary. Weave clematis vine up a fence or trellis. Annuals like Angelonia, gomphrena, periwinkle, and Wave petunia give continual color.

Prefer a natural, native garden? Often underused, ornamental grasses are year-round head turners. Red yucca, Texas sage, Russian Sage, salvia greggi, dwarf yaupon holly, lantana, santolina, and sedum are just a few great choices for a water-conserving landscape.

Most full-sun plants that tolerate a normal garden setting will tolerate sun around a pool. And, be sure to put shade plants in the shadows they love. There are so many easy-to-grow, low-maintenance choices available now. Select plants that offer a variety of blooming seasons and heights, and think about your color palette. Investigate your options. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Many pool designs don't allow much landscaping room. They have only small cutouts, which are hard to grow in, except annuals. Wax begonias display pink, red, or white flowers and come in both sun- and shade-loving varieties. Zinnia also will withstand high temperatures, bright sunlight, and bloom over a very long period.

No matter your size, yard or pool, you can get great results in your space by creating a container garden. Blooms are beautiful, but consider foliage's contrasting colors, shapes and textures for added interest and drama, too. Pots with color are always good around the pool and open deck spaces. Pots should be big enough to be in scale with the pool. Eye-catching containers include a "thriller," a tall plant usually with a strong statement of form and color, "filler," plants that fill the space hiding the soil and "spiller" that weeps over the edge of the pot. Be sure to select plants that have the same light and water requirements. You should vary the size of containers to create an attractive arrangement, but lots of little ones add clutter. Besides, bigger pots require less water which is important in our hot climate.

With careful planning, your pool and surrounding garden can be a refreshing, eye-pleasing oasis for family and friends, a fun respite from the Texas heat and the daily grind. It will become a favorite gathering spot for every age and any occasion.
Marco? Polo!