Best Plants for Pool Landscaping

The Japanese Maple acer palmatum is an elegant and visually stunning tree that's available in an array of colors, shapes and sizes making it a great option for almost any poolside landscaping. The delicate leaves create a striking visual impact and can serve as a focal point in hues of red, orange, purples and greens. 

The cascading branches structure will create elegant silhouettes that can be breath taking when used around pool as the sun shines through them during the daytime hours. Their size ranges from dwarf cultivars well suited for small spaces to larger varieties that can provide ample shade and height. 

They have a solid yet non-invasive root system so they won't damage pool foundations, disrupt underground utilities or grow uncontrolled into unwanted areas.  

Honey locust gleditsia triacanthos 'sunburst' is a unique canopied tree that will provide natural shade for any pool area. The vibrant yellow foliage will add a splash of color and create a cheerful and sunny atmosphere, especially when it catches the sunlight. The canopy will create dappled shade rather than dense shade so you can experience filtered sunlight as you enjoy your afternoon swim. 

The honey locust grows in a vase-shaped pattern while still maintaining a well-balanced and symmetrical form. The graceful branching pattern will add elegance and architectural interest to any poolside landscape. You may want to try accenting the leaves with some of the latest pool deck lighting ideas.  

Chinese Pistache pistacia chinensis is a versatile and visually appealing tree renowned for its stunning display of fall colors. The leaves transition from vibrant green to shades of orange, red, and even purple, that will add warmth and beauty to any pool surround. 

This large tree typically grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. The spreading canopy will provide ample shade, making it ideal for creating a comfortable and shaded poolside area. It can withstand periods of dryness without excessive watering due to its excellent, yet non-invasive root system. It's also adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, including clay and loam. 

It's hardy and able to survive in urban environments including compact soil and pollution. Consider the size and ensure there is enough space for the canopy to spread comfortably.

Yew taxus spp are one of the best shrubs for pool landscaping for a number of reasons including their dense, dark green foliage that stays vibrant and attractive throughout the year. Their height, evergreen nature and ability to create a hedge makes them a visually appealing backdrop or privacy screen for any pool landscaping design. 

Yews respond well to pruning and can be easily shaped into almost any desired forms similar to a boxwood. You can create a clean and polished look around your pool or an adjacent fence that will look good all season long. 

Once established, yews are relatively low maintenance and generally drought-tolerant in a variety of soil conditions. They are known for their deer resistant properties and general hardiness. 

Boxwood buxux spp is a popular choice for using around a pool or any modern landscaping design. It's known for its dense, glossy evergreen foliage which it retains throughout the year even during the winter months when other plants may lose their leaves. 

Boxwood plants have a naturally compact growth habit which forms into dense mound and can even be manicured into an attractive hedge. This makes them well-suited for creating borders or boundaries around a pool deck or as a backdrop to a pool deck furniture seating area. 

They can also be easily shaped and pruned into various forms including rounded, square or other creative designs and sculptures. Once established they are relatively low maintenance, require little watering and are drought tolerant. 

Dwarf Alberta Spruce picea glauca 'conica' is an excellent choice for using around a pool due to its compact size. It will typically reach a height of 6 to 8 feet with a narrow conical shape making it ideal for pool edging where space may be limited. It will retain its attractive blue-green needles year-round, providing a vibrant backdrop of lush foliage that will add texture and visual interest even during the winter months.

It grows in a natural symmetrical and conical shape, resembling a miniature Christmas tree that will add a sense of elegance and sophistication to your pool deck area. It can provide shelter for an adjacent lounge area or a backdrop to poolside garden. 

It's small size and non-invasive root habits make it suitable for containers, beds and other border planting strategies. It can also be used as a focal point, surrounded by low growing grasses or ferns. 

Feather Reed Grass calamagrostis x acutiflora is one of the best plants for pool landscaping because of its vertical element that can work both as a privacy screen or a visually pleasing backdrop. The upright stems grow in a narrow, feather flower plume that will rise above ground vegetation to create a two layer accent. 

It forms into neat clumps and does not spread aggressively like some other grasses. It will retain its shape year after year and doesn't require extensive maintenance to keep it looking its best throughout the pool season. It has minimal shedding, which will reduce the amount of debris that will fall into the pool. 

In the summer you can expect feathery plumes that sway in the breeze, in the fall you can enjoy golden, bronze or reddish tones that will add warmth and landscape appeal. 

Japanese Forest Grass hakonechloa macra is one of the best plants for pool landscaping if you want a vibrant, low growing and low maintenance option. It features graceful, arching foliage that creates a soft and flowing affect which is great for a serine and calm pool experience. The leaves are typically green but can also come in shades of gold or variegated patterns.

It thrives in partial to full shade conditions, making it suitable for areas with limited direct sunlight around a pool. It's a great companion to a pool shade cover such as a sun shade sail, pergola, gazebo.

It forms neat clumps that won't spread aggressively through runners. The compact growth habit ensure that it won't overpower or overcrowd the surrounding space even if it's in a poolside garden or border planting area. It'll create the perfect mix of tranquility and elegance to any landscape. 

Fountain Bamboo fargesia rufa is a clumping grass that's valued for its elegant appearance, compact growth habit, dense foliage, and attractive culms. It will form tight, non-invasive clumps that don't spread aggressively through runners, making it well-suited for areas around a pool where you want to maintain a neat and contained appearance. 

It will provide privacy and visual screening with a growth height ranging from 6 to 12 feet or more. The dense foliage and tall culms create a natural barrier, enhancing the sense of seclusion and will create a serene poolside environment. 

The foliage is typically green and may even appear to have a bluish hue, which will create a lush and vibrant backdrop for any poolside garden. They are hardy in cold climates so you can create a tropical ambiance with the feel of a private oasis even in northern states and colder Canadian provinces. 

The Christmas Fern polystichum acrostichoides rounds out our list of the best plants for pool landscaping for a number of reasons including the striking and unique characteristics. It's an evergreen fern so it will retain its lush green foliage throughout the pool season. 

It's tolerant in both partial and full shade so it will flourish even though it's low lying and residing under a poolside shade tree or structure. It will hold it's color and vibrant appearance even during the winter months when many other plants are dormant or have shed their leaves. 

It features non-invasive roots which means it won't aggressively spread and cause issues with pool structures or landscaping features. It forms clumps and gradually expand over time, providing a controlled and manageable growth pattern. 

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