Plants for around the pool

[bulldog]

So, our pool is in the ground and about a week away from having water put in. We are now in the process of determining how to landscape around the pool and any recommendations would be great.
There will be about 2 to 2.5 feet all the way around that need to have some sort of plants put in. On the "house side" that area will be about 30 feet long and mostly shaded so that is a consideration. Also a consideration is the fact that we will most likely have some sort of stone or gravel in the beds as well as the beds are in the space between the patio edge and the fence.
Looking for something that won't shed a bunch of leaves into the pool and are somewhat easy to maintain. Height wise, I'd say about 2 feet maximum.
Thanks for any ideas.

 

[mAlice]

I think ornamental grasses would be a good start with the stone beds.

 

[Larry Gude]

I think ornamental grasses would be a good start with the stone beds.

 

[toppick08]

Dwarf yaupon holly.

 

[itsbob]

So, our pool is in the ground and about a week away from having water put in. We are now in the process of determining how to landscape around the pool and any recommendations would be great.
There will be about 2 to 2.5 feet all the way around that need to have some sort of plants put in. On the "house side" that area will be about 30 feet long and mostly shaded so that is a consideration. Also a consideration is the fact that we will most likely have some sort of stone or gravel in the beds as well as the beds are in the space between the patio edge and the fence.
Looking for something that won't shed a bunch of leaves into the pool and are somewhat easy to maintain. Height wise, I'd say about 2 feet maximum.
Thanks for any ideas.

I'd suggest not using Chlorine or your plants will probably die anyways..

 

[Rael]

I think ornamental grasses would be a good start with the stone beds.

We used to have the large ornamentals around ours, but some of them can grow out of control and completely block the pool deck if the space is tight. I definitely like the look if it has enough room, though.

Dwarf yaupon holly.

I was going to say "anything but a holly (or with sharp leaves around a pool)", but I looked up the yaupon holly, it looks nice (and doesn't seem to have sharp leaves).

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[bcp]

first thing I would do is get rid of that pool before all your "friends" show up to eat your food and drink your beer.

seriously, when I bought my house in Virginia beach years ago, it had a pool in the yard. after about a month I hired a company to come in and break it up and fill the hole back in with dirt.
Neighbors were pissed, I was happy.

 

[Larry Gude]

first thing I would do is get rid of that pool before all your "friends" show up to eat your food and drink your beer.

seriously, when I bought my house in Virginia beach years ago, it had a pool in the yard. after about a month I hired a company to come in and break it up and fill the hole back in with dirt.
Neighbors were pissed, I was happy.

Not everyone hates people.

 

[struggler44]

Acapulco Gold.......

 

[GWguy]

Things with a tropical feel, caladium, caster bean (careful, poison), banana.

 

[bulldog]

I think ornamental grasses would be a good start with the stone beds.

That is what we are leaning toward and actually purchased 5 plantings of "pennis grass" (that's what the sticker said) that will get us started in a specific area around our fire pit "bubble". I think we'll end up putting Hosta along the long side, between the house and patio (lots of shade). Still more to do, but it's coming along.

 

[bulldog]

I'd suggest not using Chlorine or your plants will probably die anyways..

Salt water pool.

 

[Nanny Pam]

I know it's taller than you wanted, but the look of the banana plant would add the tropical look to your pool area, plus it would add dimension with your shorter plants. Maybe in a corner where it will get more sunlight.

If it is too tall for you...(mine are at least 10 feet tall) you could try a dwarf banana as well.

 

[bulldog]

I know it's taller than you wanted, but the look of the banana plant would add the tropical look to your pool area, plus it would add dimension with your shorter plants. Maybe in a corner where it will get more sunlight.

If it is too tall for you...(mine are at least 10 feet tall) you could try a dwarf banana as well.

Good Idea. Thanks. We'll look at that option

 

[Agee]

In the shady areas, hosta, coral bells and impatients. All are fairly maintenece free besides watreing. In the sunny locations, black-eyed susans are nice and will re-seed themselves and come back, as will faux sunflowers and cone flowers. Try vincas, petunias and geraniums for annuals and fill-in.

Good Luck and when's the first pool party?

 

[migtig]

Plant Suggestions:
Ferns, bromeliads, hostas, day lillies, Carolina jasmine (it's a climber), lavendar, I'd also consider salvia, but it brings hummingbirds.

Other:
Incorporate tiki torches, and solar lightening as well along the pathway and around the pool

 

[CalvertNewbie]

I know it's taller than you wanted, but the look of the banana plant would add the tropical look to your pool area, plus it would add dimension with your shorter plants. Maybe in a corner where it will get more sunlight.

If it is too tall for you...(mine are at least 10 feet tall) you could try a dwarf banana as well.

We love our 2 banana trees but the one we planted 3 years ago is HUGE. It looks so tropical and beautiful but I'm glad we gave it plenty of space to grow. I didn't know there were dwarf banana plants, we'll look for them in the spring.

I planted a bunch of day lillies near the pool, they look like mini ornamental grasses with big beautiful flowers. We also planted some dwarf bamboo, looks nice.

 

[bulldog]

We love our 2 banana trees but the one we planted 3 years ago is HUGE. It looks so tropical and beautiful but I'm glad we gave it plenty of space to grow. I didn't know there were dwarf banana plants, we'll look for them in the spring.

I planted a bunch of day lillies near the pool, they look like mini ornamental grasses with big beautiful flowers. We also planted some dwarf bamboo, looks nice.

I'm surprised that the nanna plants can withstand the cold. I figured they'd be much like a palm tree that is only hardy to about 40 degrees.

I like the looks and idea of day lillies, especially when we already have some that we can cut into for starters. Trying to save a little coin along the way.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

I'm surprised that the nanna plants can withstand the cold. I figured they'd be much like a palm tree that is only hardy to about 40 degrees.

I like the looks and idea of day lillies, especially when we already have some that we can cut into for starters. Trying to save a little coin along the way.

We've followed the advice given to us by the people we bought the banana tree from. Cut it all the way down and put a nice big pile of mulch over it before it gets too cold out. Once the warm weather comes back, it grows ridiculously fast. It's gotten bigger each year. Love the way the rain sounds when it hits the leaves too.

 

[jazz lady]

Lots of good suggestions. One thing to watch out for is planting flowers as with them will come bees.

Below are some things I didn't see mentioned already (or missed if it was):

Variegated liriope (also called monkey grass) is a great low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plant:

Variegated Liriope

If you want a grass for full shade, you can't beat this one:

Aureola Hakonechloa Seeds and Plants, Perennnial Flowers at Burpee.com

For flowers, dianthus is a good hearty grower. Very low maintenance and grows easily in a variety of environments. Just be aware most are perenniel varieties but there are also annual, bienniel and shrub variations.

I also love everything in the daisy family: Echinacea (coneflowers), rudbeckia (black-eye susan), Shasta daisies, etc. All are easy to grow and pretty pest resistant plus will tolerate some shade. Coreopsis is another one. 'Moonbeam' is an awesome variety. They've also come out with some beautiful compact varieties that are extremely hardly like this one:

Coreopsis Heaven's Gate Seeds and Plants, Perennnial Flowerss at Burpee.com

Astilbe is a wonderful plant that grows very compact and does well in partial shade, too.

Good luck and happy planting!