The backyard pool has come a long way from the days of the kidney-shaped pool of water with tacky blue-and-green tiles, a white plaster bottom and a drab concrete "skirt." Today's trend in pool design is to make the pool one with the yard. And in cases where the pool is already in the ground, redo it with a pebble bottom and slate or natural rock trim and tie in the surrounding landscape with the new natural look of the redone pool. Does this Spark an idea?
Trees
Choosing the right tree for backyard pool landscape plans can be tricky. Many trees have big root systems that could invade the pool or surrounding walkway, while at the same time dropping leaves--or, worse, flowers or seed pods--into the water. Palm trees work best if you want trees close to the pool, but they don't grow in all climates. If they do, you're in luck--but stick with palms with wispy looks rather than dense crowns, such as queens and kings. The denser canary variety also develops huge clusters of dates--another potential pool disaster.
Smaller Plants
Flower beds add a colorful touch to any backyard pool landscape plan. The beds can run into the pool walkway, or try little planter "islands" built into your walkway right up to the side of the pool. But, again, beware. You don't want messy flowers with lots of droppings, or sensitive plants that might not do so well if they're constantly getting splashed with pool water--or trampled by an occasional errant foot. Stay away from impatiens, petunias and geraniums. Instead, try crotons, succulents or blooming spreaders such as lantanas, a good, hardy bet that can easily fill a plant bed with a sea of color.
Rocks
Strategically placed rocks are a great backyard pool landscaping idea, particularly if you've "gone natural" with the look of your pool and incorporated natural rock or stone into the trim. Rocks also can shelter low-maintenance "rock garden" succulents like senecio serpens, kalanchoe thyrsiflora, purple aeonium, aeonium sunburst, golden sedum or echeveria geranium.
Lighting
By all means, get a pool light or two. SAM lights, which change color every few seconds, are an ideal choice. And don't forget low-voltage Malibu-style lights around the pool or, for a more tropical feel, gas or oil torches.
Decks and walkways
For the walkway around the pool and the deck, neutral is the way to go. You want to be as unobtrusive as you can get, so that the pool and its rock trim really stand out. Pick a neutral beige or light brown and go with acid-washed or stamped concrete. Don't make the mistake of using the same rock or stone tiles as you used in your pool for the walkways. That could be seen as overkill.
