I wouldn't plant anything between the fence and the edge of the pool. I'd extend the same pavers, visible in the third photo to fill the area between the pool and fence. You'll want to be able to walk all the way around the pool, if for no other reason than maintenance, and the pool coping is too narrow for that purpose.

'Hameln' or almost any other Pennisetum, if centered between pool and fence would be too close to the fence and would almost certainly cover the coping and dangle into the pool.

If the pasture fence is yours, and not a property line, I'd put a notch in it, echoing the lines of the pool and providing at least a 6 foot area between pool and fence. Put a 2 foot paver deck down next to the pool and plant the remaining 4' area with very upright grasses, rather than fountain grass. Panicum, especially 'Northwind' would be a good choice.

Thanks for your help!! Yes! That is our pasture, but there is electrical running on the other side to keep the horses off the fence, that's why I do not want pavers on that side...I have seen several pools where they use the grasses on that off side and it looked really nice, I can't find the one I'm looking for but here's one example...these look like low growing grasses, the hameln will not be able to overflow the pool because I will set the center 2 feet from the pool edge and they only grow 2.5-3 feet around, I don't mind it spilling onto the coping, I think it would give a nice effect...

here's one shot..

Thanks!!
Tara

Hi Tara,

I can't tell from the photo what kind of plants are at the edge of the pool.

I have several 'Hameln' in my garden, and the only time they grow to less than 4' is when they are younger than 3 years old. That 4' is the diameter of the top of the fountain, which is the widest part of the plant. Every year, the crown grows larger in diameter and consequently so does the fountain. If you use them in a 2' wide area, you'll he root pruning every year starting in the second year, and you'll be pruning away the youngest and healthiest part of the plant.

If you must have fountain grass, there are smaller varieties than 'Hameln.' Take a look at 'Little Bunny,' 'Little Honey' and 'Piglet.'

Other possibilities:

Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'
Festuca amethystina 'Klose'
Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'
Festuca glauca 'Golden Toupee'

There are also a wide variety of Sedges (Carex) which will fit that space, and are available in many different colors, textures and habits.

Finally, you might want to break the bed up a bit, with some nice small boulders and pots or urns.

Great info!

Is there a dwarf Hameln? My local nursery assured me it would be 2 feet high by 2 feet wide...that is what I am seeing online for Hameln but then it mentions dwarf, not sure if they're just calling Hameln a dwarf or if there is another one? My nursery has some planted that are over 8 years old and they weren't that big, maybe tight root area?

I'll look into the sedges, I want something to break up your eye as you sweep across the pasture, I'd rather have a soft plant there because of all the hard edges of the pool..like the idea of the boulders/pots!

Thanks!!
Tara

I did find one Hameln at my local nursery, planted it in the bed on the side of the house, it should be very happy there! I also found 3 sedge that I planted near my french drain....for the space near the pool edge I went with Angelica or Angelina sedum...it will fill in nicely and tolerate the dry conditions in full sun! Thanks so much for the help!
Tara

I went with Angelina sedum, it should fill in the space in about 2 years! Thanks so much for your help!
Tara