Landscape Design around above ground pool

9 years ago

We just put in an above ground pool with a small deck on the side. We want to put some landscaping around the perimeter to give us color essentially year round. We have a 12" ring of pea gravel immediately around the pool with a 2' wide section that is currently edged and mulched for planting. We're not sure what to put and how to put it. We know we want a more substantial tree on either end where we have the mulch bed widened, we're thinking dwarf japanese maples in these locations? What else can we do?

We are in Central NJ.

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Yardvaark

9 years ago

Most people do not want deciduous trees too close to a pool on account of tree debris getting in the water. Too, the space you've allotted for a tree is not enough. The "bed" to the right of the tree is seriously too small to be good for anything thing. But on that side of the deck is the better place for a small tree. Enlarge that bed substantially and put the Japanese maple over there. Around the pool you are only allowing enough room for perennial. There are many options for perennials but hybrid daylilies come to mind and one of the cheery looking, longer blooming ones.

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Comments (8)

Mario A
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you. I just realized that I left an image out. I know the right side of the stairs is small. I might follow your suggestion and make that entire side a very large bed for something. I think that would look really nice.

The other side of the pool has a bump out where we were thinking the 2nd tree.

Pool its about 3' high at its lowest due to the slope of the yard. Daylillies make sense. What kind of bush/shrubs would you suggest around the maple on that side?
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Yardvaark
9 years ago
Forget about the 2nd tree in the bump-out. It is too small an area. Remove the bump-out and continue with perennial in a uniform band, or plant a needle shaped evergreen there for punctuation/accent.

In general, most plants require more space than you are allowing.
Mario A
Original Author
9 years ago
An evergreen in left bump out sounds reasonable. What low growing items would you place around it if any? What kind of shrub are you suggesting to flank the stairs?
Embothrium
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You need some something big enough to soften the visual impact of this installation. Big enough beds and big enough plants - after they grow for some years, at least. But don't plant many trees or large shrubs close enough to the pool that their litter will be falling or blowing into it a lot.
Mario A
Original Author
9 years ago
Pump/Filter are on back side of the pool behind the deck. Nothing is being planted near the filter. The plantings will end at the left bump out.
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Yardvaark
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I don't know what will grow best for you in the size of that shrub. Take a look around your town and see what is working for someone else, but would also fit your need. It doesn't necessarily need to be a shrub. Do you care what it looks like in winter? You'll also want to interject your personal taste into the selections. Is there a botanical garden nearby? that would be a great place, since you can see them established, to evaluate plants for your use. Also, consider taking the picture to the shrub or perennial forum and asking over there what might work.
Sammy
9 years ago
My uncle, who also lives in Central NJ, planted arborvitae (Emerald Green, I think) as privacy screening around his hot tub. They might be taller than you're looking for, but, they thrive in your location. You could also do azaleas, holly, dwarf nandina, lots of things.