The Ultimate Guide to Spring Landscaping for Large Inground Pools
Getting your backyard ready for pool season starts with smart, strategic spring landscaping for large inground pools. The best landscaping for pool areas in the Twin Cities area combines cold-hardy, low-debris plants with durable hardscapes that can endure every season’s inclement weather. Done right, low-maintenance pool landscaping will look amazing all summer long without requiring excess work on your part.
Why Spring is the Critical Window for Pool Landscaping
Spring is the right time of year to tackle pool landscaping projects because soil conditions are workable, plants establish roots more easily, and you have time to bring your poolside hardscaping ideas to life before peak pool use begins. In the Twin Cities’ climate, you can begin soil preparation tasks like grading, amending, and installing drainage solutions as soon as frost leaves the soil. Early planning also allows you to correct drainage issues caused by snowmelt and spring rains, preventing water pooling near your deck or foundation.
Another advantage to tackling these upgrades early is that you’ll avoid disruptive construction during peak swim season, when your pool should be fully accessible to your family and guests. By pairing low-maintenance pool landscaping improvements with spring pool opening tasks, you’ll get this entire space ready at once.
Top Plant Choices for Large Pool Perimeters
The best plants for poolside landscaping depend on the type of inground pool you have and your priorities. If you have a long lap pool that’s visible from a neighboring property, your priority may be pool privacy plants. On the other hand, if you have a secluded saltwater lagoon, your main interest may be saltwater-tolerant plants that bring visual interest to your poolside.
- Best for Privacy: Evergreens & Tall Grasses
- Arborvitae are dense, evergreen, and winter-hardy, offering year-round privacy.
- Some upright juniper varieties are low maintenance, saltwater-tolerant plants that are a good fit for poolsides.
- Switchgrass or feather reed grass offers summer privacy while adding height and movement to your landscape.
- Boxwood hedges are poolside privacy plants that bring a structured, clean appearance – well-suited for modern landscaping.
- Best for Color: Low-Debris Perennials
- Daylilies are vibrant, hardy, and low shedding; an ideal choice for spring landscaping for large inground pools.
- Hostas are a great pick for planting along shaded pool edges.
- Many sedum varieties are excellent for xeriscaping due to their drought tolerance.
- Coneflowers are a pollinator-friendly option with minimal mess that won’t clog pool filters.
Hardscaping & Lighting Essentials
Hardscaping is a key part of the visual appeal of low-maintenance pool landscaping, and is also important for safety around large inground pools. When considering poolside hardscaping ideas, prioritize non-slip pavers, such as textured concrete or natural stone, that are designed for wet environments. Besides reducing slip hazards and, these materials can stand up to common freeze-thaw cycles in the Twin Cities area.
Another good idea for spring poolside hardscaping is to install solar or low-voltage LED lighting, which improves both safety and ambiance. Path lights, step lights, and subtle uplighting around poolside plants make evening swimming safer while calling attention to your most attractive landscaping elements. Solar lighting is an especially good choice for homeowners who want to minimize energy use while illuminating their poolside at night.
Maintenance-First Design: Avoiding the “Filter Nightmare”
One of the biggest mistakes that Twin Cities homeowners often make with spring landscaping for large inground pools is choosing plants that create excess debris. This mistake leads to clogged filters and frequent pool cleaning. Avoid these common “filter nightmares”:
- Fruit trees (apples, crabapples, cherries, etc.)
- Cottonwood and other heavy seed-producing trees
- Pines and spruces that drop excessive needles
- High-pollen plants like birch
- Messy flowering trees with frequent petal drop
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trees should not be planted near a pool?
Any trees that drop lots of fruit, seeds, needles, or pollen do not make good pool privacy plants. These trees create unsightly debris that floats on the surface of the pool and, worse, clogs up filters, requiring regular cleaning.
What are pros and cons of common poolside hardscape materials?
Concrete Pavers:
- Pros: Durable, cost-effective, typically designed to be non-slip for safety, easy to repair.
- Cons: Can shift over time, may require re-leveling, joints can allow weeds to grow without maintenance.
Natural Stone:
- Pros: High-end appearance, naturally slip-resistant texture, blends well with luxury landscaping designs.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost, may require sealing, some varieties can be sensitive to harsh pool chemicals or freeze-thaw cycles.
Poured Concrete
- Pros: Affordable for large areas, seamless look with minimal joints, relatively low maintenance.
- Cons: Can crack over time due to freeze-thaw cycles, may become slippery if not properly textured or sealed, repairs are more noticeable than with pavers.
Professional Low-Maintenance Pool Landscaping in the Twin Cities
Ground One is an award-winning landscape design company in the Twin Cities metro area that specializes in spring landscaping for large inground pools. Book a spring landscaping consultation today if you want to work with us to transform your poolside!