Transform Your Pool Area: The Ultimate Guide to South Australian Pool Plants and Landscaping
Are you dreaming of transforming your backyard into a stunning pool oasis? At Just Skips, we understand that a beautiful pool area is more than just water and tiles. It’s about creating an inviting atmosphere with the right landscaping and plant selection.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of designing your perfect poolside retreat, from choosing the best plants to handling the waste during your landscaping project.
Overview
Choosing Your Pool-Friendly Plants
Landscaping Tips for Your Pool Area
Planning Your Pool Landscaping Project
Waste Management for Your Pool Landscaping Project
Maintaining Your Poolside Paradise
Choosing Your Pool-Friendly Plants
When selecting plants for your pool garden, it’s essential to consider factors like sunlight exposure, water requirements, and compatibility with pool chemicals. Let’s dive into the best options for different conditions:
Full Sun Plants
- Bougainvillea: These vibrant climbers add a pop of colour to any pool area. They’re hardy, drought-tolerant, and thrive in warm climates.
- Coastal Rosemary: This low-maintenance native shrub produces white or mauve flowers and thrives in full sun conditions. Plus, it’s non-toxic to pets!
- Kangaroo Paw: Another native pet-friendly option that attracts pollinators with its unique flowers. It comes in various colours and creates a warm, tropical feel.
- Frangipani: With its beautiful flowers and non-invasive roots, frangipani trees are an excellent choice for adding a tropical touch to your poolside.
Partial Shade Plants
- Lily Turf: A native evergreen that’s pet-safe and great for pool garden borders. It can survive in full sun or partial shade, making it adaptable to changing light conditions.
- Cordyline: A hardy plant that adds colour and texture to your pool area. Best skip this one if you have pets though.
- Golden Cane Palm: This palm adds a tropical vibe and does well in partial or complete shade. It’s also non-toxic to most household pets!
- Viburnum: An excellent choice for creating privacy screens, Viburnum thrives in partial shade and most varieties are safe for animals.
Full Shade Plants
- Kentia Palm: A native Australian palm that is safe for your pets and will bring a tropical feel to shaded areas.
- Holly Fern: A hardy native fern that’s perfect for borders and underplanting in shaded areas. It’s also another great option for pet owners!
- Heliconia: Easy to maintain, and pet-safe, Heliconia’s flowers will add a vibrant tropical vibe.
- Native Ginger: A native tropical-looking plant with edible blue fruits.
Landscaping Tips for Your Pool Area
Now that you’ve chosen your poolside plants, it’s time to think about the overall landscaping of your pool area. Here are some tips to create a stunning poolside paradise:
- Plant Choice: Choose chlorine and salt-resistant plants with non-evasive root systems to withstand pool splash and protect your pool infrastructure. Opt for plants with minimal leaf drop to reduce pool maintenance.
- Create layers/levels: Retaining walls or raised garden beds can add depth and interest to your pool area. Use a mix of tall, medium, and low-growing plants to add depth and interest to your garden. This can help define spaces and create a more dynamic landscape.
- Maintenance: Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs for easier care.
- Install a Stone Pathway: A stone pathway not only looks great but also provides a practical, non-slip surface around your pool. Check out our blog on 9 sustainable garden landscaping ideas for more inspiration on creating stylish pathways.
- Build a Multi-Functional Bench: Create seating that doubles as storage for pool toys and equipment. This is a great space-saving solution for smaller yards.
- Consider a Pergola: A small pergola can provide shade and define an outdoor living area near your pool.
Planning Your Pool Landscaping Project
Before you start planting and landscaping, it’s essential to have a solid plan in place.
Here are some steps to consider:
- Assess your space and sunlight conditions
- Create a design that balances aesthetics and functionality
- Choose your plants based on the conditions and your design
- Plan for irrigation and drainage
- Consider hardscaping elements like pathways or decking
- Book your skip bin for waste management
Waste Management for Your Pool Landscaping Project
Before you start planting and landscaping, you’ll likely need to clear the area and remove existing materials. Here’s a few things you should know about disposing of the different types of waste you’ll likely encounter:
Disposing of Soil and Concrete
If you’re removing old soil or concrete to make way for your new garden beds, you’ll need a reliable way to dispose of this waste. Our skip bins are perfect for this purpose. Remember, soil and concrete must be disposed of separately from general waste.
Green Waste Removal
For any green waste generated during your landscaping project, such as grass clippings, leaves, or branches, you’ll need either a green wheelie bin or a green waste skip bin. These are ideal for disposing of organic materials safely and responsibly.
Other General Waste
You’ll likely have packaging and general waste from pool equipment and other landscaping materials that you’ll need to dispose of. Anything that can’t be recycled from council rubbish removal services is considered general waste and will need to be disposed of separately from your other waste.
Maintaining Your Poolside Paradise
Once your new pool landscape is in place, regular garden maintenance is crucial to keep it looking its best. This might include:
- Regular pruning and trimming
- Fertilising plants as needed
- Monitoring for pests or diseases
- Adjusting irrigation based on seasonal needs
- Prepping for storms and high winds that may cause damage
- Periodic clean-ups to remove fallen leaves or debris
It’s easy to fall behind and let your garden become overgrown and unruly, so try to keep on top of it by doing a weekly tidy.
Ready to Transform Your Pool Area?
Creating your dream pool oasis is an exciting project that can transform your outdoor space into a personal paradise. By choosing the right plants, planning your landscape thoughtfully, and managing waste efficiently, you’re well on your way to success.
Our range of skip bin sizes and our commitment to sustainable waste management means you can focus on creating your beautiful pool area while we take care of the rest.
FAQ
What type of plants do you put around a swimming pool?
For a swimming pool area, choose plants that thrive in your local climate and enhance aesthetics. Full sun options include Frangipani and Bougainvillea, while partial shade plants like Golden Cane Palm and Liriope work well in mixed light. For full shade, consider Kentia Palm and Ficus Microcarpa to create a lush, inviting atmosphere.
What are the best Australian poolside plants?
Australian poolside plants should be resilient, low-maintenance, and visually appealing. Top choices include Frangipani for full sun areas, offering beautiful flowers and non-invasive roots, and Kentia Palm for shaded spots, providing a lush tropical feel. Native options like Lomandra and Grevillea are excellent for their drought tolerance and ability to attract local wildlife.
What not to plant next to a pool?
When planting around a pool, avoid fruit trees, as they attract pests and create debris, and steer clear of bamboo due to its aggressive root system that can damage infrastructure. Thorny plants and those that attract bees, like lavender, can pose safety risks for swimmers. Additionally, refrain from using invasive species that may disrupt the pool area with their root systems.
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