Pool landscaping is a distinct enough brief that treating it like the rest of the garden usually leads to problems within a season — chlorine exposure, splash, heat reflected off water and paving, and higher humidity right at the pool edge all stress plants and materials that would be fine a few metres further away.
Plants that tolerate chlorine and splash
Palms are the reliable default around pools for good reason — most varieties tolerate occasional chlorinated splash without issue and give the tropical look most pool designs are going for anyway. Bougainvillea, hibiscus, and other salt- and chlorine-tolerant flowering shrubs we'd also recommend for coastal planting hold up well here too. Avoid soft-leaved, delicate ornamentals directly at the splash line — they show chlorine damage as browning or spotting faster than most people expect.
Managing reflected heat
Paving and water both reflect and intensify heat around a pool deck, creating a noticeably hotter microclimate than the rest of the garden a few metres away. Heat-tolerant planting matters more here specifically, and some shade structure — a pergola, mature tree canopy positioned to avoid dropping leaf litter into the pool, or shade sail — makes a real difference to both plant health and how comfortable the deck actually is to use.
Paving material matters as much as planting
Pool deck surfaces need to be slip-resistant when wet, which rules out some polished materials regardless of how they look dry. They should also stay reasonably cool underfoot in direct sun — dark, dense stone can get uncomfortably hot, while lighter-toned or textured materials perform better for barefoot use around a pool.
Keep leaf-dropping trees away from the water
Trees that drop leaves, flowers, or fruit heavily are a maintenance headache directly over or near a pool — they mean more frequent skimming and filter cleaning than the pool would otherwise need. Position larger deciduous or heavy-litter species with the prevailing wind and pool position in mind, not just for shade.
Getting the details right from the start
Pool landscaping is easiest to get right when planned alongside the pool itself rather than added afterward — drainage, planting setbacks, and hardscaping all interact with pool position and deck layout. If you're planning a pool or landscaping an existing one, get in touch for a landscape design that accounts for the pool's specific demands from the start.