Privacy Shrubs for Pools

Poolside Considerations

• Choosing privacy shrubs for pools is not as easy as it sounds. The pool is an area with a lot of bare skin, so avoid shrubs that have barbs, spikes or thorns. Pick low-litter shrubs without extensive root systems that don't require a lot of water. You don't want your privacy shrubs to compete with your pool for space or water. Desert plants, which typically use little moisture, may be ideal for pool areas.

Low-Maintenance Shrubs

• Low-maintenance shrubs require little water and pruning to stay attractive and healthy, which is a bonus for pool owners who already have a lot of maintenance to do for that area. Indian mallow, butterfly bush, brittlebush, desert lavender, creosote bush, cape honeysuckle and Arizona rosewood shrubs all require little water, so they won't steal moisture from the pool, and they create minimum amounts of litter that may look unattractive around the pool area.

Flowering Privacy Shrubs

• Flowering privacy shrubs add color to pool areas. Bougainvillea is a vinelike shrub that produces flowers in white, pink and purple shades. The bougainvillea shrub does need to be pruned often or it will grow wildly. The jasmine bush is known for its heavily scented, white flowers. White gardenia flowers grow on flowering shrubs, but they require lots of water and attention to stay healthy. Oleander grows quickly, producing white or pink flowers, but it's poisonous and potentially harmful to both pets and children.

Shrub Care

• Maintaining privacy shrubs should be simple if the plants are placed correctly. Most shrubs will need little more than regular pruning to maintain shape and yearly fertilizer applications to keep the soil around them healthy. Give shrubs full sunlight, and cover the soil underneath with a 3- to 4-inch layer of woody mulch to prevent weeds. Cover privacy shrubs with burlap at the onset of the winter season to protect them from cold temperatures and frost damage.