Eight Unsuitable Flora for Your Pool Surrounds
Sprucing up your backyard pool zone? go for colorful flair! Tropical shrubs and vibrant blooms make the perfect fit for a relaxing pool side. However, avoiding certain plants can help keep your pool area mess-free and swimmers safe. Here are some plants to steer clear of:
- Shade Trees like oak and maple? Think again! These giants drop leaves and acorns, becoming a pain during pool cleanings. And who wants sharp gum seeds in their pool? Instead, opt for smaller trees that won’t disturb your poolside vibes.
- Fruit Trees got you covered in fruit and mess during springtime. Crab apples, mulberries, and orchard trees are no exceptions. Their fruit will rot in the heat and attract plenty of bees -- not ideal for your poolside basking.
- Crepe myrtle -- beautiful when blooming but a nuisance during swimming season! These trees shed flowers left and right, so avoid planting them near your pool. Better to plant a blooming tree that's passed its season before opening your pool for the summer.
- Hollies are a no-go, thanks to their sharp spines. Soft-leaved varieties might be an exception, but please use caution!
- Bamboo can make a great screen, but watch out for running varieties! They're known for cracking concrete with their invasive roots. Stick to container gardening if you're a fan of bamboo near your pool.
- Cacti and succulents might seem ideal for the heat, but their spines aren't exactly lake-friendly. To avoid accidents, keep them far from the pool. Most succulents also rot when too wet, and the pool zone probably isn't the best spot for them.
- Bougainvillea droppin' flowers like there's no tomorrow? Yikes! They constantly shed their gorgeous blooms, which can easily find their way into your pool. Keep them where they can't contaminate the pool water.
- Roses add a charming touch to your garden, but their thorns are less than charming. Be extra careful when planting roses near pool decking, as swimmers might come into contact with their thorns. Choose an alternate location or surround them with other shrubs to minimize risk.
For a poolside paradise, opt for water-friendly plants like daylilies, geraniums, hibiscus, and Russian sage. Remember to maintain a safety buffer zone between the pool and plants for everyone's well-being!
- Southern Living magazine offers gardening landscaping ideas that include planting water-friendly options like Canna rhizomes, daylilies, geraniums, hibiscus, and Russian sage around the pool for a charming poolside paradise.
- Avoid planting crepe myrtle, roses, bougainvillea, bamboo, cacti, and succulents near the pool to prevent clogged filters, accidents, and maintenance issues.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts seeking gardening ideas for their pool zone should steer clear of shade trees, fruiting trees, and holly shrubs that can cause messes, attract pests, or potentially injure swimmers.
- Opt for small trees like dogwood or magnolia instead of oak and maple to reduce the burden of clean-ups and minimizing the chances of swimmers stepping on gum seeds.
- Instead of using running bamboo for a garden screen, consider container gardening with charming shrubs like privet or boxwood for a safer and tidier poolside.
