How to Landscape With Pools & Waterfalls

Plant a few shade trees around the yard to offer privacy and shade to the pool area. Shade trees include elm, beech, poplar and maple. Maple and elm trees also provide red and orange colors into the landscape.

Place low-maintenance shrubs and flowers around the pool and waterfall that don't drop many leaves or petals, to reduce cleanup in the pool. Daisy, iris, lily, butterfly bush and sage are all colorful options to create a lush landscape around the water. Add plants to pots if you don't have soil around a pool or waterfall.

Cover fences and walls with vine to offer fragrance, color and privacy to your backyard retreat. Vines that offer foliage include creeping fig or ivy, while blossoming vines include clematis, honeysuckle and bougainvillea.

Plant a low-maintenance ground cover between stepping stones such as thyme, mint or clover instead of grass to reduce the chance of grass clippings from getting into the pool with yardwork. Instead of grass around the rest of the yard, incorporate colorful ice plant, fountain grass and mondo grass to add color and foliage to the landscape that requires very little trimming.