Poolside garden ideas

Poolside planting is chosen by what it does not do: no litter in the water, no thorns, no roots lifting the paving.

AI-generated concept image

Light: Full sun
Water: Low
Upkeep: Low
Colour: Cool
Planting survives: −8 °C / 18 °F

Getting it right

Rule things out before you rule anything in. Avoid whatever sheds heavily, anything thorny near bare feet, and anything with aggressive roots within about three metres of the shell. Choose light-coloured paving with a textured finish, because dark stone becomes unwalkable in August, and keep a 600 mm clear margin the whole way round. Then plant in bold groups of three or five rather than a mixed border; a pool surround wants calm repetition, not variety.

Plants that work

Botanical names are given first so you can order the right plant anywhere. Heights are for mature plants in open ground.
Plant	Type	Light	Water	Height	Hardy to
Chinese windmill palmTrachycarpus fortunei	Tree · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	3–8 m	−15 °C / 5 °F
New Zealand flaxPhormium tenax	Perennial · Evergreen	Full sun	Moderate	1.5–2.5 m	−10 °C / 14 °F
African lilyAgapanthus praecox	Perennial · Semi-evergreen	Full sun	Moderate	0.6–1 m	−8 °C / 18 °F
OliveOlea europaea	Tree · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	3–8 m	−8 °C / 18 °F
English lavenderLavandula angustifolia	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	40–70 cm	−20 °C / −4 °F
Mexican feather grassNassella tenuissima	Grass · Semi-evergreen	Full sun	Low	40–60 cm	−20 °C / −4 °F
Mondo grassOphiopogon japonicus	Groundcover · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	15–25 cm	−15 °C / 5 °F
Blue fescueFestuca glauca	Grass · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	20–30 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Adam's needleYucca filamentosa	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	0.6–1.5 m	−25 °C / −13 °F
OleanderNerium oleander	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	1.5–3 m	−8 °C / 18 °F
RosemarySalvia rosmarinus	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	0.6–1.5 m	−12 °C / 10 °F
Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides	Climber · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	3–6 m	−12 °C / 10 °F