Poolside palms--it's hard to think of Las Vegas without them. Mediterranean-style was all the rage in Vegas 20-plus years ago, around the time when Canary palms, windmill palms, and California fan palms were interplanted with a hodgepodge of shrubs in this client's yard.

When the Before photo was taken, the understory shrubs were all in various states of decline. The pot was lost in palm fronds which overwhelm the space, and the focal point unfortunately appears to be the pool equipment box.

A refresh of this poolside space required not only palm trimming and plant removal, but also a rethink of the understory planting. The blue-gray hues of agave, blue fan palm, and lavender adhere to the Mediterranean theme while providing much-needed contrast to the previously planted monochromatic green palette.

As flowering shrubs and vines grow into the space, they will soften the stucco walls and screen neighboring properties.

The pool equipment was easily relocated, and the new pool tile selected by the homeowner really pops, helping to integrate the pot which now looks like new as well (see Before photo)!