Pools areas are becoming increasingly formal but loads of pots on paving can be more maintenance than a garden!

In order for a pool to blend naturally into the garden, careful planting of trees, shrubs, foliage plants, flowers and lawn will make your pool a visual delight without creating unnecessary work in the years to come. A pool safety fence can be disguised with evergreen creepers provided they do not give a foothold to small children.

Planning tips

• Try to keep trees and tall shrubs well away from the pool area as fallen blossoms and leaves will overtax the filtration system and will be a source of concern every time you try to relax!
  To let in lots of warming sun for swimmers, make sure you don't plant tall trees on the northern side of the pool.
  A lawn area in a sunny comer is a pleasant sunbaking spot, but keep it at least 1.5m away from the pool otherwise grass clippings will pollute the pool.
  Allow for walkways around the perimeter of the pool.
  When creating a garden, choose the side of the pool which is out of the general traffic area. All gardens near to the pool should slope slightly away to prevent hosing and rainwater running into and fouling the pool.
  A low rock garden can work well. The low tufty plants won't cast shadows or shed leaves into the water. The use of rocks also helps to introduce a natural element to the pool area.
  A shady spot near the pool can be given a low maintenance tropical look with plantings of palms, tree ferns, ferns, bromeliads and foliage plants - all of which complement each other and like the same growing conditions.

Palms
Palms are an extremely popular choice for poolside planting and justifiably so. Although they do drop their leaves, one or two large leaves every now and again is nothing.

Palms have a relatively small root system so established sizes are easy to transplant where quick results are desired. They are also good for growing in containers.

Most palms will tolerate full sun or semi-shade, but check with your plant shop when buying, as a small number of palms prefer shady conditions.

Pots
All plants in pots need constant watering, sometimes once or twice a day during hot dry weather. Palms in pots require a light fertiliser and need to be kept evenly moist, never soggy.

Clusters of pots full of colourful annuals such as petunias, calendulas, salvia, primulas and marigolds can brighten the poolside. Hardy shrubs like hibiscus, camellias, azaleas and lavender all look good in large tubs set back from the water's edge.

Source:Gardening Made Easy (Murdoch Books)