Add Color

Pools are usually enormous blue beauties that dominate your landscape. Adding other pretty colors to the perimeter of your pool or decking will accentuate the blue and make a huge visual impact by softening those borders. Adding color is a great reason to use container plants around your pool.

Break Up Space

Pools are typically surrounded by some sort of walkway. Whether it’s concrete, brick, stone or wooden decking, the result can be boring and harsh without softening the boundaries with color and texture. Adding potted containers definitely breaks up the space, and allows your personal design style to shine.

Create Shade

Because of construction and the fact that people like to keep leaves out of the water, swimming pools are often without tree cover and consequently very sunny. Cabanas, pergolas and awnings can provide shade, but you can add tall plants and shrubbery to your oasis for a similar but more organic effect. Your swimmers will thank you, too as shady areas provide respite from over-exposure to the sun. Creating a spot of shade is a great reason to use container plants around your pool.

Add Height

No matter the size, an in-ground pool is pretty darn flat. Adding some taller potted plants helps create height and good, balanced design. Experiment with pots and plants of different sizes. For instance, a lower, wide planter with a taller palm is lovely. Contrasting that might be a tall, narrow pot filled to overflowing with cascading flowers (wave petunias, for instance): equally great but a dichotomy. My friends, John & Heather have a gorgeous pool and do a great job of using some of these tips. Check out the photos of their fabulous container planters. Create vertical interest in different ways by experimenting with plant and container height.

Gain Privacy

Unless you like the idea of swimming publicly , you probably want some privacy around your pool. While may people use fencing, that isn’t your only option. Taller plants placed strategically around the pool will naturally shield you from street traffic and neighbors. 

Pro Tips:

Use great potting soil. I love the Miracle Gro Moisture Control because it keeps plants hydrated better than traditional soil.

Be sure to use osmocote to feed your container plants.

Consider plants that don’t need to be dead-headed like wave petunias.  Less work means more pool time.