Pool landscaping tips from local landscape design professionals Installing a new pool is a big decision, and one which can have many benefits, especially in Southwest Florida. Whether you want to install a pool as the ideal summer hangout for your kids, to beat the heat or as a way to stay healthy, it’s an exciting undertaking for any homeowner. While a pool’s design and characteristics are important for its appearance, professional landscaping around the pool can elevate the space and help to create the most visually appealing and enjoyable environment. Our landscape design and install company has been serving the landscaping needs of people in Fort Myers and all of Southwest Florida for years. We offer design, installation and maintenance of landscaping systems, and we have a great deal of experience performing landscaping for all types of properties. A pool presents many new parts to an outdoor space. From the pool itself to the deck to the pipes and pump, there are many different aspects which should be considered when forming a landscaping plan. The first, and likely most important, thing to consider when planning your landscaping plan, is the protection of the pool’s elements. Be sure to select plants, shrubs and trees which do not have invasive root systems which can become intertwined with pool pumps, creep up through the pool deck or otherwise disturb the elements of the pool. In Southwest Florida, it’s also important to decide whether you will put an enclosure around your pool. Many people choose to cage in their pools to deter pests, and if you do this then it will change the way you landscape the area. Pool cages create a greenhouse effect, so it’s important to choose plants which can thrive in higher temperatures and in high levels of humidity. We always try to help people select the look and type of plants they are most interested in for their spaces, but one tip we often must employ is to understand the growth range of the desired plants. Many plants, shrubs and trees might start out small but can eventually overtake or overshadow other elements of the space, which can be harmful in the long run for the area as a whole. Be sure to select a system of plants which can all work together to thrive. Your pool is going to require a lot of maintenance, it would be ideal if your landscaping didn’t, too. While our team offers routine landscape maintenance and we are always happy to take on the role of maintaining any space we design, people who seek to do their own maintenance need to select low maintenance plants for their pool design to keep their pruning, fertilizing and other tasks to a minimum. In addition to selecting plants which won’t require much maintenance to keep alive, you will want to pick flora which does not often shed its leaves or flowers. Cleaning the pool regularly is one thing, but spending hours every day scooping out leaves isn’t something people want on their to do list. If you are looking to install a new pool in Southwest Florida and want to make sure your landscaping looks great, give us a call today and we will make sure the entire area looks its best.