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need help around a pool area

by Leeza
(Watertown, CT)

We just put in an inground pool and have a 3 foot decking around. On one long side and one short side (L shape)we have a 3 foot area to plant. Behind it is a black fence. Do you have any suggestions on what to plant? I don't want the plants to grow,crawl, or extend into the 3 foot paver decking around the pool. I would like something that flowers.

Doug says that you can grow any plant you like the looks of - for sunny locations. The chlorine from the pool isn't really going to bother them (contrary to popular myth) so go for what you like.

Personally, I'm a big fan of no-work plants such as daylilies and coneflowers that tend to bloom for a long time in the summer when I'm using the pool. Toss in a few shasta daisies and coreopsis, the odd delphinium for some taller, different color and you have a full perennial garden of that size that will bloom for most of the summer.

Good luck with it - but the real thing to understand is to grow what you like - in summer blooming - for full sun.

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need help around a pool area

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Pool plantings
by: Jan Phipps

We have an in-ground pool that is surrounded by carpet junipers. No, they don't bloom (except for those little glaucous blue berries), but that is an advantage because you don't want anything that has debris that will blow into the water like petals, seeds, fluff, etc. It is an absolute no maintenance plant except for every other year pruning to keep it off the coping. There is no dead-heading or cutting dead foliage off.

You need grasses!
by: Barbara

Although they don't "flower" per say, the greatest thing around an inground pool (we have one also) are the tall, swaying grasses. They lend that tropical feel to the space, are absolutely no work (til Feb/March when you cut them back) and they are even lovely in the winter here in Northwestern Pennsylvania. There are so many to choose from also. Go for grasses and you won't be sorry.

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