They should unify, balance, and fit in with the rest of your landscaping and home. They should be easy to maintain and safe for children and pets. They should be able to grow well in your native climate or microclimates on your property.
Here are 16 plant selections for landscaping your pool that will bring color, texture, and scent to your backyard. Many succulents don’t have spines, or if they do, they can be small. Larger succulents with spines can be planted at the back of a border or raised bed. The best succulents for pool landscaping include:
Aeonium Agave attenuata Aptenia cordifolia Crassula Dudleya Echeveria (some) Euphorbia (some) Kalanchoe Plumeria (considered a succulent) Portulacaria afra (dwarf jade) Sedum Sempervivum Senecio
The best grasses to plant near pools include:
Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis ‘Aureus’) Giant reed (Arundo donax) Bamboo (some types; can be invasive) Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’) Feather grass (Stipa) Rush (Juncus) Phormium Zebra grass
Vines we recommend include:
Passionflower Carolina Jessamine Jasmine Honeysuckle Trumpet vine Lady Banks rose
Exotic-looking plants for pool-scaping include:
Bird of paradise Banana trees Hibiscus Canna Palms Papyrus
Lawn grass will need a lot of maintenance and water (not pool water) to thrive under the hot summer sun. Consider tough and drought-tolerant grasses, such as Bermuda grass and Korean grass (Zoysia) , for pool landscaping, or go for artificial sod.
Lavender Rosemary Basil Ornamental onion (a pretty flower that has a slight onion scent if bruised)
