If you have a hot spot in your backyard and want a beautiful plant-filled area for the poolside, there are several options for plants that thrive in the heat of summer. The state flower of Hawaii, Hawaiian Hibiscus has white blooms that hang down and are known for their thick fragrance. They’re also low-maintenance and do very well in the summer heat. Below are some of the best plants for your pool area.
Mondo grass
Mondo grass is a beautiful, low-maintenance, natural weed control plant. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. Leaf color may vary from light green to deep emerald. Mondo grass requires full sun to produce its deepest black varieties. It should be planted in spring before the last frost. The best time to plant mondo grass is in the early fall or early spring.
Mondo grass is one of the easiest plants to grow. It requires very little maintenance except for proper location and preparation. It needs well-drained soil. Divide the plants by hand, then plant them four to 12 inches apart. If you have dwarf mondo grass, you can plant them closer together. Mondo grass requires less maintenance than a traditional lawn. However, if your pool area has poor drainage, you may need to pull the entire grass.
Mondo grass is a hardy plant that grows between six to ten inches tall and can spread to 2 feet (0.6 meters). The plants are slow-growing, so you can place them between stepping stones and a fountain. They are also suitable for containers and look spectacular with chartreuse. They are also low maintenance and can be divided easily. Despite their hardiness, mondo grass is not suitable for areas that see heavy foot traffic.
Arborvitae
You’ll find many types of arborvitae that will look beautiful around your pool. While they can be invasive, they can also provide privacy. They are attractive and will also increase the value of your home. If you have a small yard, you may want to plant more than one type. But if you’re unsure, here are a few of the best plants for pool areas.
If you’re looking for low-maintenance beauty for your pool area, arborvitae is a great choice. They grow to eight to twelve feet in height, and require little maintenance. They don’t produce leaves or debris, which makes them easy to clean. In addition, their bright green foliage will keep the area looking beautiful all year long. Arborvitae is also great for small spaces, where the area is prone to fading.
Another choice is Japanese Pieris, a deciduous, perennial plant native to Taiwan, Japan, and eastern China. It has lovely white blossoms in early summer. Other plants to consider are the canna lilies, which are easy to grow but do have a tendency to blow their flower petals into the pool. In addition to arborvitae, you can also plant a fothergilla tree, which features red or pink flower petals.
Trumpet Vine
The trumpet vine is very hardy and can thrive in a variety of soil types. It thrives best in soils that are moist but well-drained, such as in seasonal swamps. This plant has exceptional drought tolerance, and typically needs water only when the foliage or flowers begin to wilt or wither. It can tolerate a range of temperatures from zone 4 to 9, so it can be used in zones 3 through 9.
It’s also a great choice for poolside landscaping. Its fast-growing, deciduous leaves and clusters of yellow trumpet flowers appear in spring. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and is excellent as a ground cover on slopes. It also requires moderate watering once established. Tangerine Beauty Crossvine, a heat-loving relative of the Cat-Claw, is another attractive vine. It produces bright orange trumpet-like flowers in the spring and sporadic blooms throughout the year. It’s a good choice for sunny areas with regular watering.
This vine is native to North America. It has a glossy dark green foliage with seven to eleven serrated leaflets. It produces clusters of yellow or red flowers, which attract a variety of pollinators. The vine is relatively easy to grow, and can be used as a landscape accent or for the pool area itself. Its foliage requires a rich, moist soil that is well-drained.
Hydrangeas
The color of your hydrangeas will depend on the temperature in your area. They prefer temperatures of 70 degrees fahrenheit or less, but can tolerate warm nights occasionally. Tree-form hydrangeas are available in the market, but they aren’t always in stock at your local garden center. To get them in time for spring, it’s best to order them in the autumn. You can find most of the full-sized panicle varieties in standard forms.
These plants require low maintenance, but they should be given regular fertilization. Use a slow-release balanced fertilizer or commercially composted manure. Avoid fertilizing hydrangeas after July. Northern hemisphere gardeners should fertilize once a year, in June. Feeding them later will promote fresh growth. You can also use Rodan and Fields Radiant Defense to keep your hydrangeas healthy.
If you have a sunny patio or a shady spot in your backyard, consider planting a hydrangea. This flower-bearing plant will fill a large space and bloom from summer to fall. Because they are low-maintenance, hydrangeas are ideal for a pool area. Just keep in mind that the flowers and plants you place near the pool can cause root problems.
If you have a small space, a hydrangea should be chosen that has a low profile. A hydrangea that grows too big will overtake the surrounding space. A smaller hydrangea will look better and be more attractive if you prune it later. So you can enjoy the flowers and water from your pool without the hassle of a full-grown plant. Just be sure to choose a variety with a lower height and wider leaves.
Frangipani
This compact plant has large leaves and showy blossom clusters. It is used in landscaping throughout the world, and is also the national flower of Nicaragua. The plant’s flowers are often recognized as symbols of the tropics, and were used in leis for thousands of years. Though it doesn’t grow natively in Hawaii, the island has several breeding programs. Here are some of the benefits of choosing Frangipani.
This fragrant shrub can be used as a specimen tree. The foliage of the frangipani tree has five petals, which gives it an air of summer. It also blends in well with many styles of gardens. The five-petalled flowers are also attractive and add a pleasant fragrance to the garden. For inspiration on planting frangipani, visit a nursery that specializes in exotic plants.
Frangipani is native to South America. Polynesian missionaries brought it to Australia in the late 1800s and early 1920s. The missionaries from Polynesian and Melanesian islands brought frangipani and coconuts with them. The plant is considered sacred by many and is popular in homes all over the world. In the Pacific, frangipani is often used as a decorative plant, and can be ordered online.
A golden cane palm also gives your pool area a tropical feel. These palms are typically planted in large containers and add privacy. Golden cane palms are low maintenance and don’t shed many leaves. They are also a great choice for a poolside garden. It doesn’t need watering and doesn’t require much maintenance. You can even choose one that does not shed leaves and does not need regular pruning.
Grapevine
The best way to grow a grapevine around a pool is to plant it along a trellis. These structures are usually made from simple wood that is attached to the house. The vines will spiral across the trellis. The plant will need 6 feet of space for proper growth. Depending on the variety, grapevines can be trained in a variety of decorative forms. However, annual pruning is necessary for healthy growth. Be sure to prune the vine in early spring before the leaves emerge.
In the U.S., grapevine is a common garden plant. Its lush growth can create an attractive focal point for your pool garden. Its soft green leaves are attractive, and you can train it in different shapes. A grapevine trained over an arbor will create a lush, shady area next to the pool. It can also be trained to form a table. However, because of its aggressive nature, it can cause damage to surrounding trees if not tended properly.
As the name suggests, the grapevine is best suited for areas with a lot of greenery. A grape trellis will provide a nice seating area and will allow you to display the vines. You can enhance the look of the trellis by planting a flowering climber along it. The contrast between green and white makes this structure stand out. A grape trellis can add elegance and appeal to any pool area.
