Smart Planting Tips for New Pool Landscapes

A well-designed pool landscape does more than just frame the water—it transforms your entire backyard into a relaxing, resort-style retreat. But when it comes to planting around pools, it’s not as simple as adding your favorite flowers and calling it a day. Choosing the right plants and layout is critical to ensuring beauty, function, and long-term success.

At Property Docktors, we help homeowners across Loudon County and surrounding areas create pool landscapes that are low-maintenance, visually appealing, and tailored to the Tennessee climate. If you're planning a new pool or upgrading an existing one, here are the smart planting strategies you need to know.

Why Pool Landscaping Requires a Different Approach

Landscaping around a pool isn’t the same as designing a front yard or garden bed. It demands a more thoughtful, strategic approach due to the unique environmental conditions and usage patterns that come with poolside areas. Simply put, not all plants and materials are suited for this space—and the wrong choices can lead to ongoing problems with maintenance, damage, and usability.

Here’s why your pool landscape needs specialized planning:

• • Splash and Humidity Exposure
    Pools create a constant microclimate of moisture. Plants located near the edge will be exposed to frequent splashing, high humidity, and even water runoff. Choosing plants that can tolerate moisture without rotting or attracting mold is essential for long-term success.
  • High Sun and Reflected Heat from Hard Surfaces
    Paver patios, concrete decks, and stone retaining walls can reflect intense heat during the summer, especially in open, sun-drenched backyards like those common throughout Loudon County. Some plants will scorch or dry out in these conditions. That's why drought-tolerant, heat-resilient plantings—like ornamental grasses or native perennials—are often a smarter choice.
  • Chlorine or Saltwater Exposure
    Splash-out from chlorinated or saltwater pools can damage sensitive plants and alter soil chemistry. The closer a plant is to the pool, the more likely it will come into contact with treated water. Our team recommends plants that can tolerate occasional exposure or helps install physical barriers—like raised planters or stone edging—to minimize contact.
  • Foot Traffic and Activity
    Pool areas are high-traffic zones, with kids, pets, and guests constantly moving through. Your landscape plan needs to account for wear-and-tear from people, pool toys, and occasional accidents. That means avoiding delicate or thorny plants and ensuring walkways and plant beds are placed in a way that supports the natural flow of the space.
  • Ongoing Maintenance Needs
    The last thing you want is to spend your summer fishing leaves and petals out of your pool or sweeping plant debris off your patio. That’s why low-maintenance landscaping is key. Property Docktors carefully selects plants that are tidy growers, evergreen when possible, and require minimal pruning to keep your space looking polished with less work.

Smart planting strategies are the foundation of successful pool landscaping. With the right materials and layout, you can enjoy a clean, cohesive, and inviting pool area that enhances your lifestyle—not your to-do list. Whether you're in Tellico Village or downtown Lenoir City, our designs are tailored to fit the local climate, your usage needs, and your long-term goals for the space.

Best Practices for Planting Around Pools

Planting around a pool is a balancing act between beauty, durability, and practicality. Choosing the right plant types and placing them wisely can enhance your backyard visually while keeping maintenance low and functionality high. Below are proven guidelines to help you get the most out of your poolscape—without sacrificing time or performance.

1. Choose Low-Mess Plants

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is selecting plants that create more mess than magic. Leaves, petals, fruit, and pine needles don’t just create clutter—they can stain hardscapes, clog pool filters, and increase your maintenance workload.

Choose plants that:

• • • Don’t shed excessively
    • Maintain a tidy shape with minimal pruning
    • Stay attractive across seasons

Recommended low-mess options include:

• • • Ornamental grasses – Like Muhly Grass and Fountain Grass, which provide movement, texture, and seasonal interest without leaf litter
    • Compact shrubs – Such as Boxwood, Loropetalum, and Dwarf Yaupon Holly, which stay neat and structured
    • Perennials with minimal drop – Like Daylilies and Salvia, offering vibrant color with minimal debris

Avoid plants that:

• • • Drop large leaves, flowers, or fruit (e.g., Maples, Oaks, Crabapples)
    • Produce sap or sticky residues
    • Have needles or seed pods that blow into the water (e.g., Pines, Sweetgum)

Keeping your pool area clean starts with clean-growing plants—and we can help you choose species that look great and won’t turn your pool into a daily chore.

2. Stick with Pool-Friendly Plants

Pool environments can be surprisingly harsh. High temperatures, reflected heat from stone or concrete, and occasional exposure to chlorine or saltwater require plants with strong resilience.

Look for plants that are:

• • • Drought-tolerant
    • Heat- and sun-resistant
    • Not sensitive to occasional splashing or spray

Great poolside choices include:

• • • Agave and Yucca – Architectural, drought-tolerant, and perfect for sunny spaces
    • Lavender – Adds fragrance and beauty, while repelling bugs and thriving in dry conditions
    • Liriope – Hardy, adaptable, and great for edging or border beds
    • Junipers – Evergreen options that stay compact and need little care
    • Knock Out Roses – Easy to grow, long blooming, and less prone to disease

Choosing native or regionally adapted plants—those well-suited to East Tennessee’s climate—can also reduce water needs and ensure long-term success with less intervention.

3. Create Natural Privacy and Shade

Planting around a pool isn’t just about filling space—it’s about enhancing your comfort and privacy. The right combination of greenery can soften the landscape while creating visual barriers from neighbors or busy roads.

Smart plant-based privacy solutions include:

• • • Clumping bamboo – Fast-growing, vertical, and non-invasive varieties work well for narrow screens
    • Viburnum – A versatile shrub with year-round appeal and dense growth
    • Nellie Stevens Holly – A reliable evergreen that provides height, structure, and privacy
    • Tall ornamental grasses – Like Pampas or Miscanthus, which offer seasonal interest and movement

When combined with retaining walls, paver seating areas, or pergolas, you get a more complete solution that balances sun protection, windbreaks, and architectural style.

4. Think About Placement and Spacing

Even the best plants can become a problem if they’re planted too close to the pool. Overgrown roots can interfere with plumbing, and crowding near walkways can restrict movement and trap moisture.

Follow these planting guidelines:

• • • Maintain at least 2–3 feet of clear space between plants and pool edges or patios
    • Use decorative stone or mulch to define beds and keep splash zones tidy
    • Consider raised beds or stone planters to keep soil contained and add elevation for visual interest

Strategic plant placement ensures long-term growth without encroaching on your pool area—and keeps maintenance low by reducing blow-in debris and trimming needs.

At Property Docktors, we specialize in designing and installing plant zones that work harmoniously with your paver patios, pool decks, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens. Whether you’re building a new poolscape from scratch or upgrading an existing one, we help ensure your plant selections are both stunning and sustainable—for years to come.

Pool Landscaping Services Built for Loudon County

Every backyard is different, and every client has unique goals for their space. That’s why we take a personalized approach to every project. Whether you’re installing a brand-new pool or refreshing the area around an existing one, our team can help with:

• Full pool landscaping design and installation
• Paver patios and walkways for poolside living
• Custom retaining walls to manage slope or elevation changes
• Landscape lighting for nighttime safety and ambiance
• Selection and installation of low-maintenance, pool-friendly plants

We work closely with homeowners to create stunning outdoor environments that are both functional and easy to maintain—so you can spend more time enjoying your pool and less time cleaning up after it.

Serving Loudon County and Surrounding Communities

Property Docktors proudly provides expert landscaping and pool design services throughout:

• • Loudon County
  • Lenoir City
  • Farragut
  • Knoxville
  • Tellico Village
  • Rarity Bay
  • Kahite
  • Kingston

Bring Your Pool Landscape to Life with Property Docktors

Whether you're planning a new installation or upgrading an existing space, our team at Property Docktors is here to help. We specialize in smart planting strategies, functional hardscapes, and full-scale pool landscape design built for Tennessee properties.

Call us today or request a estimate to get started. We proudly serve homeowners in Loudon County and the surrounding areas with high-quality landscaping, hardscaping, and outdoor living solutions.