Article by Evelyn Long
If you want your backyard pool and deck area to resemble a tropical getaway at a five-star resort, you’ll be surprised at the impact exotic plants and durable outdoor planters can make. In fact, your very own poolside oasis is right at your fingertips with a bit of creativity and a few extra elements. Explore these tips for incorporating lush greenery into your beautiful haven with the perfect materials and textures to complement your style.
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Using Landscape Designs to Enhance Pool and Deck Areas
Landscaping can change the overall aesthetics of any property, turning your pool and deck area into a functional focal point in the backyard. Incorporating intricate garden beds, unique planters, and an array of tropical flora is the ticket to a relaxing oasis for hot summer days and lazy afternoons.
Installing a pool — especially if it’s in-ground — offers a 5% to 7% return on investment (ROI). Enhancing its curb appeal makes the return even sweeter.
Vibrant blooms with lush green leaves add pops of color necessary for greater visual interest. It also creates more of a complete look when turning your patio into a multi-use space with outdoor seating for dining and entertainment. Adding other landscape design elements to the space — including hardscaping, fountains, a fire feature and lighting — will awaken your senses, ensuring a tranquil escape to rest and rejuvenate in nature.
With homebuyers becoming increasingly interested in beautiful outdoor spaces, Angi suggests landscaping adds 10% to 30% to your home value. Trees alone increase it by $1,000-$10,000. Naturally, you’ll see the greatest ROI if the pool and deck’s landscape design is of the highest professional quality and well-maintained.
How to Create a Poolside Haven With Planters
Garden beds surrounding the deck or patio are great for turning your pool area into your dream backyard. However, you can bring the lush flora directly into your hangout with durable outdoor planters.
Planters can hold many types of tropical plants, adding warmth and softness to hard surfaces. They also come in several shapes and sizes to enhance the ambience of the outdoors.
Consider whether the planters complement the plants you choose and your overall style. For instance, you might opt for geometric shapes if you’ve gone with a more modern exterior design. Planters also allow for more color and transport you to a different location entirely. Royal blue ones with bright pink flowers stand out against a white hardscape and evoke sunny days in Santorini, Greece.
Recommendations for a Tropical Backyard Space
Selecting the best plants is the key to achieving a tropical backyard. Exotic options include palms, grasses, ferns, and bromeliads of different heights and textures. Of course, whatever your preferences are, they must also thrive in planters.
Consider your location before creating a poolside container garden. If you live somewhere hot and humid with occasional droughts — such as in the South — frequent fluctuations in soil moisture and nutrient availability within planters make caring for ornamental plants difficult.
Always choose flora capable of withstanding these conditions. You’ll also want to look up each plant’s requirements for sun exposure, drainage and soil pH. Possible options for a poolside backyard area include:
- Bamboo: Zones 5-9, full or partial sun or shaded areas, well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7
- Esperanza: Zones 10b-11, full sun, well-drained but moist soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5
- Bird of Paradise: Zones 10-12, full or partial sun and well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5
- Dwarf palmetto: Zones 7-10, full or partial sun and moist soil with a pH of 6.5-7.8
- Ixora: Zones 10-11, full sun, well-drained but moist organic soil with a pH of 5-6.5
- Japanese banana: Zone 7 or farther north, full or partial sun and well-drained but moist soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5
Planting tropical greenery based on its agricultural zone ensures its long-term survival. Otherwise, some plants make excellent annuals just about anywhere.
The Importance of Durable Outdoor Planters for Pool and Deck Areas
It is crucial to use durable outdoor planters that withstand the weather and maintain their stunning appearance. Although more expensive than other materials, high-quality fiberglass maintains ultraviolet (UV) protection against direct sunlight and can withstand harsh conditions. Likewise, they are eco-friendly and lightweight, making them easy to move around the deck or patio and avoid damaging surfaces.
Other materials include metal, wood, plastic or terracotta, but not all are conducive to a backyard pool area with a lot of moisture. Metal containers may begin to rust when exposed to water, while wood pots might rot if they aren’t sealed properly.
Likewise, be sure to buy the right-sized containers for optimal plant health. Large pots provide ample space for extensive root systems, while you may also need to repot plants as they outgrow their current planters.
The most durable outdoor planters are an investment in your poolside landscape design and can transform the deck or patio into a sophisticated, modern or rugged aesthetic. Therefore, you’ll want to ensure they have a reputation for longevity.
Additional Tips for Elevating Your Poolside Oasis
Tropical plants are only one aspect of an elevated, lush poolside oasis. These six tips may help you complete your backyard haven.
1. Install a Canopy
Take a break from the heat and protect yourself from the sun with an umbrella, awning or pergola. An awning can decrease your risk of skin damage from UV rays while prolonging the life span of your outdoor furniture. Some can even detect changing weather conditions and retract automatically.
A pergola can also enhance your poolside aesthetics and withstand substantial rain and wind. It may be permanent or freestanding, attached to your home or installed in the center of your patio. Feel free to situate one of your durable outdoor planters against it and allow colorful plants to climb up the sides.
2. Incorporate Lighting
Proper lighting can create an entirely different ambience and make nighttime swimming safer and more enjoyable. String lights across the patio and add solar walkway lights to paths.
You can also shine spotlights on larger plants. For instance, make an in-ground or potted sabal palm the backyard focal point at night. Some garden lights also harness sunlight during the day for a glowy atmosphere when it gets dark out.
3. Add Garden Decor
Although container plants can complete your poolside oasis’s overall look and feel, don’t neglect your garden beds. There are many ways to enhance them with decor, such as statues, wind chimes, gazing balls, plaques and lanterns.
Gazing balls are a shimmery addition to every garden and come in various colors. Opt for a coral, yellow or teal hue to stick with your tropical vibe. Likewise, lanterns could take on a Moroccan, rustic or contemporary style, depending on your outdoor design.
You can also elevate your planters with plant stands. Some come in multi-tiered set-ups to hold flora at different heights. Others come with traditional legs, some ornamental or sleek for modern designs. Of course, you could use an outdoor shelf display to lift container plants off the ground.
4. Invest in Patio Furniture
Quality patio furniture is essential when creating a poolside oasis. A comfortable set will enhance your outdoor living space and improve relaxation. However, you want to purchase furniture you know will last.
Weather-resistant, quick-dry cushions are ideal, especially when sitting down wearing a wet bathing suit. You’ll also want to look for materials that can hold up against direct sunlight, salt and moisture, such as high-density polyethylene made from recycled waste. These outdoor pieces are sustainable and nonporous for excellent durability.
5. Integrate Privacy Fences
Wandering eyes from snooping neighbors is enough to ruin anyone’s poolside experience. To avoid this, consider putting up a privacy fence. It gives you a better sense of security and allows you to venture away from the conventional vinyl or wood panels. For instance, you can create a trellis fence with climbing plants if you’re OK with a more open feel.
Bamboo screens are another option — these are more sustainable than other fences and deliver a tropical, exotic aesthetic. Living fences are also a great way to incorporate greenery into your backyard.
Before deciding on the proper fencing, you should consider your pool area’s design style, how much privacy you’re looking for and the time you have to maintain it. A living fence may need more care than a wood or metal fence.
6. Hardscape Your Patio
Hardscaping can enhance a lush poolside oasis. Choose natural stones like travertine and slate, brick pavers, or colorful tiles made for the outdoors. These materials can significantly improve the look of a concrete slab patio by creating a border.
You might also use flagstones as stepping stones through a garden. Other hardscape features include stacked stone walls for additional seating, a built-in stone fireplace and an outdoor kitchen area for all your entertaining needs.
Enjoy Your Backyard Escape With the Perfect Poolside Design
Bringing beautiful florals and durable outdoor planters will allow you to create a lush oasis right at home. Why spend money on an extravagant getaway when you can enjoy rejuvenating in your backyard? Carefully plan the space and create a vibrant poolside paradise your neighbors will envy.
