Every pool deserves beautiful plants that enhance its aesthetic appeal and offset hardscaping such as concrete and tiling.
However choosing the right plants for your pool area is crucial - you need varieties that don't shed leaves and debris into the pool, won't damage the pool structure with invasive roots, and require minimal maintenance.
Things to take into account are whether you need screening around the pool from neighbours and also what sort of feel do you want when you are sitting around the pool?
Do you want a more formal look with hedges or do you want to feel like you are on holidays in the tropics with swaying palm trees!
Read on for our top variety picks for creating a stunning pool oasis while keeping maintenance to a minimum.
Our top tips when choosing plants for your pool area:
DO NOT choose plants that are deciduous or are likely to drop alot of leaves. Pools tend to be situated in exposed areas and high winds will surely bring more leaves to your pool!
DO NOT choose plants with invasive root systems as this can cause damage to the pool shell.
DO choose plants that require little to no maintenance.
DO choose plants that can provide a wind break.
DO choose plants that can provide some shade to at least a quarter of the pool providing shelter from those hot summer days.
Think about the all over feel you want to bring to your pool - tropical, formal or Australian natives?
DO consider planting in pots.
The plants listed below are less likely to drop berries, flowers and leaves into and around your pool AND will keep their form and shape requiring little to no maintenance.
Top Screening Varieties
Pencil Pine Conifers
Variety options -
> Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca' ➜ Shop NOW
> Cupressus sempervirens 'Nitschkes Needles' ➜ Shop NOW
> Juniperus virginiana 'Skyrocket' ➜ Shop NOW
✅Perfect for narrow spaces
✅No Maintenance
✅No Leaf drop
✅Screening
✅Formal/Mediterranean vibes
✅Tall Grower - ('Glauca')
Juniperus 'Spartan' (Conifer)
> Juniperus virginiana/chinensis 'Spartan' ➜ Shop NOW
✅ Perfect for narrow spaces
✅ No Maintenance
✅ No Leaf drop
✅ Screening
✅ Formal/Mediterranean vibes
Strelitzia Nicholai - Giant Bird of Paradise
> Strelitzia nicholai ➜ Shop NOW
✅ Tall & Large grower
✅ Dense foliage
✅ Screening
✅ No Leaf Drop
✅ Tropical vibes
Elaeocarpus eumundi - Quondong
> Elaeocarpus eumundi ➜ Shop NOW
✅ Tall Grower
✅ Screening
✅ Low to no Maintenance
✅ Tropical/ Contemporary vibes
Viburnum Varieties
> Viburnum odoratissimum ➜ Shop NOW
> Viburnum odoratissimum 'Emerald Lustre' ➜ Shop NOW
✅ Hedging
✅ Dense foliage
✅ Medium heights
✅ Tropical/ contemporary vibes
Palm Trees
> Varieties such as Foxtail Palm or Kentia Palm ➜ Shop NOW
✅Perfect for narrow spaces
✅Low to no maintenance
✅Tropical vibes
Olive Trees
> Olea europaea varieties ➜ Shop NOW
✅ Choose Non-Fruiting varieties such as 'Swan Hill' or 'Tolleys Upright'
✅ Screening
✅ Low Maintenance
✅ Shade providing
✅ Mediterranean + Coastal vibes
Heliconia Varieties
> Heliconia ➜ Shop NOW
✅ Lots of varieties to choose from (if you live in Qld! where they are most typically available)
✅ Flowering
✅ Tropical vibes
✅ Low to no maintenance
✅ Medium height growers without getting too massive (good alternative to Strelitzia nicholia)
Non-screening Shrub Varieties:
1. Asplenium nidus (birds nest fern) - Plant these in a shady area of the pool area and they will thrive and create that lush tropical feel ➜ Shop NOW
2. Agave - These are very hardy, will multiply and create that perfect landscaped beachy feel
3. Cordyline fruticosa 'rubra', Cordyline negra, Cordyline fruticosa 'kiwi' - These provide vibrant and contrasting colour in shades of red, pinks and greens
4. Streletzia juncea (leafless bird of paradise) ➜ Shop NOW
Streletzia reginae (Bird of paradise) ➜ Shop NOW
Streletzia nicholai (Giant White Bird of Paradise) - ➜ Shop NOW
5. Evergreen Frangipani ➜ Shop NOW
6. Grass varieties such as Liriope, Lomandra or other varieties ➜ Shop NOW
7. Cactuses and Succulents ➜ Shop NOW
8. Tractor Seat Plants - plant these in a shady area or underplanting underneath tall trees ➜ Shop NOW
If you would like more information or advice on planting around your pool please email us at sales@egardens.com.au