How to Landscape to Hide the Pool & People

Test the soil in the area around your pool. The results of your soil test will include recommendations regarding the necessary substance to amend your existing soil type. Amend the soil in your desired planting area with the recommended additives.

Select the plant varieties that you will use to landscape between your pool and the public’s view. Choose tall, narrow trees to form a backdrop and mid-sized shrubs and flowering or foliage plants for the foreground area. Use evergreen shrubs and trees for landscaping near your pool, rather than deciduous varieties that can pollute the water with falling leaves and blossoms. Tall evergreens provide privacy throughout the year, an important consideration for pools that stay open year-round. Select plants that grow in your climate zone and blend with the rest of your landscape.

Draw up a rough sketch of your desired landscape design, considering the size, shape and spacing requirements of the plants you have selected. Plan your design by starting near the pool and working outward, so neighbors and passersby can view the front side of your landscaping. Do this by placing your backdrop trees and tall shrubs nearest your poolside, placing the mid-sized plants directly in front of them and finishing with your small, decorative plants in the very front. Instead of making just one straight line of plantings, experiment with various shaped planting areas that include curves or corners to highlight yard décor items, such as a bench, fountain or birdbath. For instance, use an S-shape line of trees, shrubs and plants that allow you to place yard decorations inside the tight curves on either end. The creative form will allow you to hide your pool with a flowing line of color and greenery. Creating an L-shape, with a sitting area in the corner, also adds more interest than a straight line of plants.

Plant your trees, shrubs and plants according to your sketched design. Place your plants at their minimum recommended spacing requirements to encourage the thick, full growth necessary for blocking sights and sounds. Place a layer of mulch around the new plants to help hold in moisture and minimize the requirement for supplemental watering. Heavy irrigation around your pool area may damage your pool equipment or deck area.