What Shrubs, Plants to plant along side swimming pool?

What Shrubs, Plants to plant along side swimming pool? (post #16496)

Saignon on Wed, 03/17/2010 - 01:45

General Gardening

One side of our pool opens onto a beautiful view however it leaves us exposed and lacks intimacy. Can anyone suggest what to plant that would add a screen & beauty. I am considering Oleander, bamboo, viburnums but not sure. Oleanders grow very well here but read flowering shrubs could be problematic.

FIrst off, let me say that (post #16496, reply #1 of 4)

by Karen in reply to Saignon [original] on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 13:43

FIrst off, let me say that your view is gorgeous. I see what you mean about feeling exposed, though. I'd think about screening part and using the screen to also emphasize that part of the view that you like the most, rather than just 'walling' off that whole side. Just a couple of questions before making any suggestions. What are the small trees that are already there in the photos? And is your concern about flowering plants related to what insects (bees) they might attract?

North Carolina - zone 7

Pool Planting (post #16496, reply #2 of 4)

by Saignon in reply to Karen [original] on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 01:52

Thank you for your response, the trees you see are actually large trees. We are in a valley and our property is overlooked by the village above although it is a distance away. It's not that we want to block or screen the view, it's just a question of creating some intimacy. We do get bees but I know they do not sting unless provoked. What do you think of oleander?

I really like oleander, (post #16496, reply #3 of 4)

by Karen in reply to Saignon [original] on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 15:00

I really like oleander, though there aren't many cultivars that are hardy outdoors here where I live now. They were street side plantings where I grew up in Florida. I've got one hardy oleander planted outside here in NC and one that I grow in a pot. I think they would look great poolside and would work well with the native landscape beyond. A lemon tree (if you can grow those where you are) or a fig tree would be nice alongside a pool as well. What a wonderful thing that would be, to sit by the pool and eat fresh figs.Callistemon, native to Australia, would also be lovely. So what kind of trees are those that are already along the edge, and will they eventually shade other plantings?

North Carolina - zone 7

Pool Planting (post #16496, reply #4 of 4)

by Saignon in reply to Karen [original] on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 03:59

Thanks Karen, so I ordered Oleanders afterall, they do well in this climate although I will protect them next winter just in case since they are young ones, I only hesitated because I was concerned with the flowers attracting bees so close to the pool, but actually I have found bees not to be aggressive unless provoked. In these parts Oleander is available in single or double flower versions, I have single flower one plants near our entrance so this time I chose the doubles. I'll post pics later on in the season. The trees along the edge are Linden, Persian Lilac & Micocoulier (indiginous to Provence).

Provence-Zone 7-8

What Shrubs, Plants to plant along side swimming pool?