Plants for pool area Maryland

10 years ago

Hello all.

Not a gardener but an admirer. Having a pool built in the backyard and need advice regarding plant selection near the pool. We live in Baltimore, MD. The backyard has full sun, clay-looking soil. Pool will be salt water. What kind of perennials can I plant that, along with the location I've described, not have too much allergens? My son has allergies to quite a few trees and grasses. I'm looking to keep the backyard from looking barren while also providing some movement and beauty to the pool area. Thank you all.

I have been advised to plant little henry by a local nursery. I'm not sure how much pollen that might generate.

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Comments (3)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
We don't care so much about what the soil looks like as what the consistency IS, how well it drains, the pH. With further information about the soil, and the space these plants will have, we can help.

It's the wind pollinated plants that you need to worry about. Others have sticky pollen that requires insects to move it around. Most ornamental shrubs are insect pollinated.

If you tell us that he's allergic to bees, then you'll have to go with plastic!
Patty Selesta
Original Author
10 years ago
No allergies to bees. The soil drains well, but no idea on pH. Where can I get that info?
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
As a general rule, plants with pretty flowers won't be an issue for your son since they are pollinated by insects as Rhizo commented. Grasses are wind pollinated as are many of the early spring blooming trees that have blossoms that aren't what most folks think of as traditionally pretty flowers such as pines and other evergreens, oaks, many maples, ash, and elm. You also may want to avoid plants with strong scents such as lilacs or Daphne since those can be irritating to those with allergies. You can probably get a list of specific plants that are known allergens from your son's allergist.

Close to a pool you want to aim for plants that don't do a lot of shedding of flowers and leaves during the season you will be using the pool.

A couple of general suggestions from someone with grass and other environmental allergies:

If you or a near neighbor is mowing the lawn, close the house windows, and if possible do mowing when your son won't be at home. Also close up at the very least his bedroom during the spring high pollen season (and fall ragweed season if that is an allergen.)

Minimize skin contact with grass or other allergens and wash up soon if there is contact.

Get a HEPA filter for his bedroom so he has that 8+ hours without allergens and don't allow any pets to sleep in his room.

If you do a web search for your state name and the phrase "soil test" you will probably get a place that does soil testing for homeowners, often a state university or cooperative extension. They will give you directions for taking samples. If there's nowhere local, Cornel University does tests from mailed in samples, but IME they are relatively expensive.