We are redoing our pool area and setting the fence back so I can landscape it (basic rectangle in ground pool with pebble decking). I do not like the 'tropical' look and want to do more drought tolerant/hill country type décor with large boulders, decomposed granite, etc. I have several types of cacti and agaves to use but need ideas for small trees and evergreen shrubs to use in the background. Hubby wants them pool friendly so he doesn't have to be constantly cleaning it out! I'm an hour north of DFW in zone 7B. Suggestions appreciated!
Need landscape help around pool!
I always believed Whitesboro was named for all the whiterock it sits on....are you in one of the hollows or up on top of the 'prairies' for lack of a better word? Brutal temp changes can go thru there, I would go for a shaded bench area. Shake head, most plants up there dont stay green all winter...and cactus make bare skin too unprotected.
Look at the grasses. They come in several shades and some have autumn color. They have movement in the wind, would look at home with your boulders. Lots of choices. Some are quite tall, others are short and the sedges can be used for very short plants. Pink Muhley grass, little blue stem, one called fiber optic grass and there's white star grass. There is a tall one called "morning light" that is beautiful. I dont know how sedum would do in your area but would be a nice addition if you can use it.
I think some low growing conifers could be a part of your scheme as well.
This message was edited Apr 6, 2014 12:37 AM
Thanks for the tips! I would say I'm on the 'prairie' part of the area as I have good sandy loam soil and no rocks (thank goodness!). The cacti will set well back from the actual pool area as we have a wide deck and then around 20' of green space to work with so won't be an issue with the prickles. We do get temperature extremes-from the typical Texas summers of 100+ for weeks at a time to the northern freezes in the 10-15 degree range in the winter. It's tough gardening country!
On the east side there will be a pergola with sitting area, koi pond and firepit area and should be plenty of shade from the building it backs up to and the fence. I am going to do some winding paths through that area to incorporate it all.
I do use a lot of grasses up here and love the pink muhly (although did have several clumps that look like they froze out this winter). I will definitely incorporate some of them into the scheme, trying to stay away from the really "messy" ones. I'll check into the conifers, too.
Does anyone growing Elaeagnus know if it drops flowers, seeds, leaves, etc.? Was thinking of using some as a filler against the back fence. I also plan to use quite a bit of red yucca as it's a favorite of mine and some salvias, Russian sage, etc. for pops of color.
Thanks for the tips! Any others?
Lots of Russian Olive up there. Hmmmm, birds to the fruits, cant remember if I see it leafless or not. The others of that plant look gorgeous, still, fruits on the ones I see. Wonder if they take to being kept as shrubbery. Probably would if not neglected in the trimming.
We had some at the ranch when I moved there but I thought they were ugly so ripped them out.....they stayed evergreen and had not been trimmed. NOW I think they would be perfect for what I want to do here. I don't like "square or round" trimmed hedges but naturally grown would be nice for filling in the huge backspace here and there.
I saw in our plantfiles one named silver- impressive, also that gold green one...