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Swimming pools are usually appealing and fun and can also be visually appealing and refreshing, but what would be better than adding a bit of greenery to enhance the look of your pool surroundings? There are a lot of trees that you can plant by your pool to create a lovely oasis feeling.
You should picture your pool areas surrounded by lush foliage and delicate flowers; wouldn’t it be fantastic? The soft grasses, beautiful trees, and colorful flowers? You can archive anything you want with dash of flowers by your pool, whether you want a tropical paradise or a Mediterranean landscape design.
There are many pool friendly plants and trees you can plant close to your pools, like the crape myrtle, sago palm trees, magnolia, fruitless olive trees, Japanese maple, and windmill palms.
This article will discuss how you can add these trees to your pool setting to give it a magnificent outlook.
Pool Friendly Plants and Trees
1. Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese maple plants are small and deciduous plants with a graceful growing habit. Their foliages are elegant and look extraordinary during the months with fall due to the color ranging from golden-yellow to gold purple. In addition, the layered branch of these trees gives them a whimsy and elegant appearance.
Japanese maple trees and easy-growing plants can adapt to majorly any soil and climate and look stunning in basically any settlement. The Japanese maple plants are hardy in zones five through to zone nine and can grow up to a height of 190-25 feet tall, and its dwarf species are four to five feet tall.
See Also: Plants With Spores
2. Hawaiian Hibiscus
There are a lot of Hawaiian varieties to go for, and if you can plant Hawaii-based plants in your state, then go for it. You can choose fantastic species, including white wings, Kona princess, flamenco flame, and bohemia crown.
Hawaiian hibiscus usually consumes a lot of water so ensure that it is provided with a lot of water from time to time. For a better floral arrangement, pick one of these flowers during the day when it is still in full bloom, place it in the refrigerator and watch as it maintains its freshness for the evening.
3. Zebra Grass
Zebra grass is an ornamental grass, and we would like to say generally, ornamental plants are excellent for pool sides. This grass is easy to take care of, blends well with other plants, and proliferates. Some fantastic color varieties of this plant include white, blue, and orange.
This popular ornamental plant is the strictus “Miscanthus Sinensis” and is mainly referred to and known as the zebra grass or the porcupine grass. Due to its horizontal stripes resembling a zebra, this plant has an exotic look that goes very well with tropical landscaping.
4. Bird Of Paradise
If you plan on giving your pool a tropical-oasis route, you could get there much faster with the bird of paradise. These plants look similar to the banana plant and usually grows up to a height of 2 foot long.
Like banana trees, these plants have very tender and soft leaves and can get ripped easily in strong winds. Therefore, the bird of paradise would be one of the perfect birds for pool scaping. It does not shed and can withstand splashing in moderation.
5. Egyptian Papyrus
When in the proper condition, the Egyptian papyrus can be used to create a pleasant mood in your poolside-lush, exotic and tropical. The Egyptian papyrus loves water and can thrive well in shallow ponds or anywhere close to water.
This plant does well close to the clay soil as it is said that clay soil helps it retain its dampness which it likes. You can pair this plant with a skinny equisetum for the perfect duo as that plant also likes water and also has an exotic feel, and just like the papyrus, all this plant needs too is full sun, wet and rich soil.
6. Hebe
Hebe is a plant native to New Zealand and is sold under the name veronica sometimes. These shrubby Hebbes are exotic plants that enhance the landscapes of poolside borders.
They grow better in mild winter zones and need regular watering with good drainage, and for some of its varieties, the season when it flowers extends from early summer down to the first frost.
Their color varieties include white, purple, pink, and blue and just a partial exposure to sunlight is alright. However, in warmer climates, ensure that these plants are put under shades for them to be able to bloom well.
7. Orange Trees
Citrus trees are optimal for pool sides and are one of the most planted poolside trees. There are a lot of varieties for this plant type ranging from dwarf species down to giant trees that can fit into any landscape. Orange trees would fill your environment with the scent of citrus and unique fruits.
You shouldn’t be worried about the sun drying out your citrus trees because this plat can handle high heat conditions and survive in hardiness zones 8 through to 11.
They can go through a height of 8-20 feet and 10-30 feet wide, and you do not need to stress to maintain them; regular plant maintenance with adequate pruning would do.
8. False Cypress
The false cypress is an evergreen plant with fragrant and needle-like foliage that comes in silver and green colors.
Some species of the false cypress can grow very large, while others are just big enough to fit into a container. So, if you live by a beach, the false cypress would be able to provide you with a perfect seaside tree for your viewing pleasure.
9. Ironwood
Ironwood, also known as the hop hornbeam, is an evergreen tree with pale green foliage and a slim trunk. These trees have sparse leaves and tissue-like texture and produce pink and white flowers in winter. These plants love the sun and would need arid conditions for their growth.
The ironwood trees are hardy in zones 9 to zones 11 and also have a matured height of about 25 feet tall. Although they need very little maintain ace to survive, they are primarily slow growers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Water from Pools Hurt Trees?
The water used in your swimming pool contains certain chemicals for purification, including chlorine. Splashing your pool water on either the trunk, stem, or leaves of these trees and plants can hurt them, and therefore, you shouldn’t be planted too close to the pool.
Although these chemicals are bad for all plants, certain plants are more susceptible than others. These plants, including crabapple, chestnut, horse, and ash, react badly when they come in contact with these treated pool water.
How Close Can I Plant a Tree Close to A Pool?
When planting your tree by the poolside, ensure it is at least a drip line away from the pool’s edge. Of course, this won’t be possible if you have a small environment, but then you can plant a plant or tree that is less susceptible to these chemicals in the pool water, or you plant smaller plants.
You can plant your trees in a way that the baseline should be about 15 cm away from the base of your tree, but if you like your trees close to the pool, plant smaller ones in pots, and the pots can then be wheeled closer the water anytime.
Do I Need to Consider Certain Things When Planting Close to A Pool Side?
Some factors you need to put into consideration when planting close to your poolside include;
- The level of leaf drops from the plant. You should ensure that you plant plants with minimal leaf droplets to minimize the number of leaves, soggy flowers, and debris you would remove from the pool filter
- It would help if you avoided plants with shallow root systems and messy outlooks like the arborvitae plant or bougainvillea to reduce the number of plumbing problems you would encounter
- You should also consider the theme you want to create; do you want a Japanese-themed pool or a tropical look pool plan
- Lastly and importantly, you should check the plant’s growth and maturity time and size first. Some plants may grow too big, blocking your view from the desired sunlight
See Also: Plants With Thorns On Leaves
What Plant Types Look Good Around a Pool?
some unique plants you can grow around your pool include;
- Succulent plants
- Ornamental plant
- Vines
- Palm trees
- Fragrant plants
- Drought tolerant plants
- Container-themed plants for easy movement
What Is a Good Swimming Pool Size?
Although the size of your pool should be based on the size of your home, the average swimming pool size is around 18 to 36 feet. With that pool size, you can be able to archive swimming easily and also accommodate casual use. In addition, with this pool size, there is enough room for you to play games with your friends and family.
So if you feel your pool size is too small at the moment, not to worry also, you can hire the right set to people to help you know what to do.