A backyard pool is synonymous with summer fun, good times, and relaxation. While many pools are buried in the ground, above ground pools are a great option for those who don’t want to tear up their backyard for installation.
To make sure that this type of pool doesn’t stick out oddly, homeowners need to be conscious of their above ground pool landscaping. Here are some tips to help!
1. Safety First
Swimming pools pose a very serious risk of drowning, injury, or death, especially to children. Protect people and pets by always fencing a pool, using pool alarms, and supervising children around water. More information can be found in these guides published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
2. Add Clean Lines with Gravel or Rock
The area around the pool can get muddy because of splashed water. Avoid this by laying a gravel border around the pool. Don’t forget the landscape fabric underneath to keep the weeds away.
The gravel edge helps blend the pool neatly with the rest of the landscaping and keeps muddy pools from forming. However, it is a simple design. For contrast, bring in attractive, large rocks or plant a few shrubs to add color.
3. Don’t Plant Large Deciduous Trees Overhead
It is an arduous task to keep a pool clean with deciduous trees (the kind that lose their leaves in the fall) overhead. The leaves are constantly falling into the pool, creating a maintenance headache that no one will enjoy dealing with.
Instead, keep trees trimmed back around the pool and plant them at a distance. Further, avoid fruit trees near the pool for the same reason.
4. Plan for Privacy
For safety reasons, it is not a good idea to block the line of sight to the pool from the house or seating area. However, a lack of privacy from neighboring properties isn’t ideal either. This is a particular problem with an above ground pool because of the elevation.
To avoid this problem, include taller, denser trees or shrubs around the perimeter of the property when designing your above ground pool landscaping plan.
5. Build a Deck
A deck around an above ground pool is a great way to get on the same level as the pool (without installing one in the ground).
It can be a larger deck that integrates into a seating area. A small deck just big enough to frame the pool and grant easy access is a great idea for smaller spaces.
6. Build a Retaining Wall
Concrete retaining walls add sophistication to landscaping and are great for use in sloped yards. Homeowners that prefer a more rustic flair can choose to build the wall with rocks, boulders, or pavers.
Regardless, the wall is a useful element to add to your above ground pool landscaping when the aim is to hide the edge of the pool.
7. Entertain on the Patio
For many homeowners, the pool serves as an extension of their entertaining space. For this purpose, a patio can be incorporated directly around the pool. Simply extend it out to one side to create the desired entertaining space.
8. Plan a Path
People that will be traveling a path near a swimming pool are likely to have bare, wet feet. Keep this in mind when choosing the path materials.
Crushed rock or gravel will be rough on bare feet yet smooth materials increase the chance of slipping. Opt for a textured material like stepping stones, textured concrete, or pavers for safety and comfort.
9. Consider Evergreen Shrubs
A big reason why many homeowners avoid above ground pools is that they aren’t exactly beautiful. An easy way to fix this is to plant low shrubs around the pool. They should be short enough not to block a safe view of the pool but tall enough to dress up the sides of the pool.
Since the pool will need dressing up all year, evergreen shrubs like boxwoods are a great choice for year-round beauty.
10. Skip the Mulch
Mulch is great in flower beds but not so much around pools. It will get wet and stick to everything, including bare feet and pool toys, and some of it will undoubtedly end up in the pool (another maintenance hassle).
Not to mention mulch around the pool holds moisture, which is hard on the pool liner.
11. Add Potted Plants
Potted plants are an easy way to add splashes of color to above ground pool landscaping. And this is an easy backyard pool landscaping project to do on a budget. They are easy to move which means that annuals or tropical plants like birds of paradise can be added to the scene and brought indoors for the winter.
12. Choose Hardy Plants With a Tropical Vibe
Speaking of tropical plants, tropical vibes are perfect for above ground pool landscaping. However, true tropicals will still struggle with Atlanta winters. Thankfully, there are a few hardier versions that will still add tropical vibes. Here are a few ideas.
Hostas
Hostas thrive even in shade and their colorful leaves add bursts of tropical-esque color to a garden. Take care as these plants are toxic to dogs and cats.
Windmill Palm
Windmill palms are like little palm trees that 100% make a landscape feel more tropical. However, they can easily survive short bursts of subzero temps, making them perfect for Georgia yards.
Sabal Palm
For taller trees that offer a bit of shade, the sabal palm is a great “tropical” option that can survive temperatures down to 15 degrees.
Needle Palm
The needle palm grows to between 5 – 8 feet and can survive temperatures down to -5 degrees!
Hardy Hibiscus
Nothing says tropical like colorful hibiscus flowers. The hardy hibiscus variety survives well in Georgia, though they should still be brought indoors over the winter. The Rose of Sharon varietal is toxic to pets.
13. Include Some Shade
Playing in a pool isn’t all about fun in the sun. Sometimes a break from the heat will be needed. Add shade to above ground pool landscaping with structures like pergolas, awnings, or even umbrellas.
14. Choose a Theme
Tropical is popular, but not the only option. Further, backyard pool landscaping is a great place to get creative and add some personality.
Go with a color or pattern theme with the decor, or better yet, choose finishes that complement the rest of the landscape style. For instance, a modern pool landscape would incorporate clean lines, a wood deck, and rectangular slabs of concrete.
15. Don’t Plant Grass Right Next to the Pool
Grass gets slippery when wet. Not to mention when you cut it, debris will always end up in the pool. When planning a lawn location, keep in mind that weed whackers can throw debris several feet away.
16. Hide the Equipment
Part of what makes an above ground pool unattractive is the visible equipment. Creatively camouflage the equipment with a screen, wood lattice, trellis, or colorful plants. Don’t forget to leave access space for maintenance and repairs.
17. Skip the Bees
While it’s true that bees will visit swimming pools to get a drink, there are additional reasons they stop by.
Plants like flowering herbs, honeysuckle, and salvia are beautiful, but there’s one big problem — they attract bees. While that is a good thing for important functions like pollination, nobody wants loads of bees buzzing around their pool.
There’s still a place for these plants, just not close to the pool area.
18. Accent With Lighting
Accent lighting will completely change the way above ground pool landscaping looks after dark. Low voltage lighting systems are an easy DIY installation project and will provide the right touch of mood lighting to any landscape.
Use them to illuminate walkways, light up trees or other features as focal points, and add an overall elegant/romantic feel to the space.
We’re Here to Help
At Atlanta Turf & Tree, we are happy to assist on any landscaping job, no matter how big or small. Contact our landscaping services team with your ideas and goals, and we can help make it happen. With over 35 years of combined experience in the industry, we’re prepared to turn your vision into reality.
