There are many plants that look great around an above ground pool, including Elephant ears, Jasmine, Frangipani, Hebes, and even succulents. These are just a few of your choices and they can help you create an eye-catching landscape for your pool. If you are looking for some easy-to-care-for plants, these are the ones to go with. They are also drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and will grow in full sunlight or partial shade.
Elephant ears
An elephant ear plant looks like an elephant, with large, heart-shaped leaves, and long, slender stalks. Plants that have elephant ears are great for above-ground pools because they create the feel of a primordial jungle. Elephant ears are hardy, require little maintenance, and thrive in partial sunlight. To keep them from getting smothered in the sun, prune their stalks in the fall.
To care for elephant ear plants, water them regularly. Ideally, once a week during spring and summer, and once a month in autumn. You should avoid over-watering or underwatering them, as they can be prone to diseases. In order to keep them healthy, elephant ear plants should have a constant temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can stunt their growth, and high humidity can make them susceptible to diseases and pests.
The elephant ear is a tropical plant that can be planted year-round in zones nine through 11. They are usually grown as annuals in cool climates. Since they can grow very large within a couple of months, planting them in containers or a shady area can reduce the chance of them wilting in the summer. Once established, they will provide a tropical feel to your water garden.
Jasmine
Among the many plants that can thrive around an above ground swimming pool is the jasmine vine. This fragrant perennial grows in areas with full to partial sunlight and moderate fertility. Plants can be grown in containers outdoors and in well-lit indoor locations, and many varieties are suitable for both. However, it is important to choose the right plant for the right conditions. Jasmine requires a lot of water and light, so it is advisable to place it in an area with moderate to high light.
A trellis around an above ground swimming pool is the ideal place for a climbing vine. The vines should be chlorine-tolerant. Bright yellow flowering Carolina jessamine, trellis, and confederate jasmine are all excellent choices. You can also grow Chilean jasmine, which has heady fragrance and white flowers. Jasmine also grows well in containers, so it is best to choose a variety that is hardy in harsher conditions.
Frangipani
Choosing the right plant is an important part of the overall landscaping of an above ground pool. Frangipani is best for their flamboyant blooms. However, they may be susceptible to the effects of moisture, frost, and beetle infestations. To protect your frangipani, keep its branches supported by a wooden fence or a piece of old stocking.
When choosing a plant for your above ground pool, consider its water needs. Frangipani prefers full sun, but they do well in containers made from terra cotta or ceramic. During the winter season, they go dormant, so plant them in a container or in a warm area so that they can be moved inside. The best time to plant frangipani is early spring, and they bloom profusely in summer.
The fragrance of frangipani is heavenly, and its five-petaled flowers are a treat for the senses. A frangipani plant can be grown as a single specimen, or it can be grouped together. Planting frangipani in containers is also an excellent choice for outdoor spaces, as they can be brought inside for the winter.
Hebes
Hebes are a native of New Zealand, and they make striking, colorful additions to any backyard garden. Although they prefer mild winter zones, hebes are also quite hardy and low-maintenance plants. They are drought-tolerant and need regular water, but need good drainage and shade in areas with higher temperatures. For those who are concerned about hebes’ short lifespan, you can propagate them and replace them as needed.
Hebes have a compact habit and are well-suited for above ground pools. However, pruning is important to keep them compact and flowering. Cut back damaged stems at the end of winter to a live bud. For compact plants, clip small leaves into balls. Don’t forget to leave some space for flowers. Despite their compact growth habit, hebes also need little maintenance.
Hebes do well in soils that are moist but not too rich. They also thrive in partial shade, and don’t require annual feeding. They can tolerate drought, but a rich soil will encourage lax and weak growth. Adding horticultural grit to heavy soil will help improve hebe growth. And if you do plan on growing hebes in containers, be sure to provide the plants with regular water and fertilizer.
Daylilies
One of the most important tasks for keeping daylilies healthy and thriving is preventing insects from damaging them. Among the most common pests that attack daylilies are thrips and aphids. These tiny pests feed on the plant’s chlorophyll and produce discolored leaves. They can also reduce the number of flower buds. To control these pests, you should regularly deep-water your daylilies.
If you plan to plant your daylilies in the spring, make sure you plant them in the spring, when they’re at their prime. Daylilies like full sun and thrive in all types of soil. However, they do prefer loamy, fertile soil that retains moisture. Mixing compost into your soil will help retain moisture for your daylilies. Also, make sure to water them regularly during their first growing season. After that, you can add straw mulch to the soil around them over the winter. Be sure not to cover the crown of the plant with mulch, as this will encourage weeds.
Once you’ve prepared your soil, daylilies are ready for transplant. Daylilies grow in clumps and are typically eight to five feet tall. They also reach two to four feet wide. During transplanting, you should separate each clump about eight inches apart. In general, daylilies are best planted in early spring or early fall. This way, they will have a better chance of establishing strong roots.
Arborvitae
When choosing plants for a swimming pool area, choose a variety that will thrive in your climate. Arborvitae prefer moist, fertile soil. This plant is difficult to establish, so you may have to perform some soil work or provide adequate irrigation to get it established properly. If you are growing arborvitae in containers, make sure you have adequate drainage. In addition, the water you use to water them should be at ground level, not above.
If you’re looking for low maintenance privacy and beauty, a dense shrub such as arborvitae will fit the bill. The tree’s foliage is bright green all year round, which makes it a good choice for narrow garden spaces around an above ground pool. It also doesn’t create debris or drop leaves, making it an excellent privacy tree. Depending on the type of arborvitae you choose, it could reach eight or twelve feet in height.
Succulents
If you’re looking for low maintenance plants, try Century Plant. It tolerates the occasional splash of pool water, attracts hummingbirds, and deflects common pests like deer. It is drought and heat tolerant, and virtually disease free. If you’re planting around your pool, consider adding a few succulents. Listed below are the benefits of each type. Here are some tips on which types of succulents are best for your above ground pool.
Echeveria Elegans: This small succulent, known as the Mexican snowball, is soft, velvety, and adds elegance to its setting. Its leaves are pale pink and it produces small pink flowers. The flower stalks are slender and curved. This plant is drought-tolerant, and can be moved indoors if the temperatures drop below freezing. It pairs well with Stonecrop and other succulents.
Palm trees: If you have a sunny backyard and want to add a touch of tropical foliage, a palm tree is the perfect choice. They provide plenty of shade and don’t shed small leaves. Also, their foliage doesn’t drop as easily, making them easier to clean. Palm trees are also cold-hardy and look beautiful around an above ground pool. Keep in mind that Mexican fan palms have spiky flower stalks that can cause mess if they are not pruned properly.
Banana tree
Although David and I had always been concerned about planting banana plants around the above-ground pool, we were surprised to find that this plant actually does quite well. Bananas are tropical plants, so their giant, oversized leaves give them an almost tropical appearance. Depending on the variety, bananas can reach over twenty feet high! Since they have soft, succulent roots, they will not cause any damage to the wood.
While you can plant almost any tropical plant around your above-ground pool, it is advisable to choose plants that will survive in the area. Banana trees are tropical-looking, and need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day to flourish. The tolerant Majesty Palm tree, on the other hand, will grow best in full to partial sun. These tropical plants will create a tropical ambiance and will need a lot of water.
Once planted, bananas will grow to be five or six feet tall. When fully grown, they will begin to sprout additional trunks around the base of the original plant. This can create a small grove of bananas. However, when the bananas are mature, the flowers will die and only the male leaves will remain. In addition, bananas take four to six months to reach maturity.
