Tips for Landscaping Around an Above Ground Pool

Elevate Your Above-Ground Pool with Sophisticated Landscaping

An above-ground pool doesn’t have to be an eyesore, it can be the centerpiece of an elegant outdoor living space. With the right landscaping, your pool area can become a private sanctuary, a vibrant space for entertaining, or a lush, tropical escape. Thoughtful design doesn’t just enhance beauty—it also adds functionality. The right landscape plan can provide shade, create privacy, and even help keep your pool area cleaner by minimizing debris.

At Scapes Incorporated, we believe luxury lives in the details. Here’s how to approach your poolside landscaping with intention, style, and long-term impact.

Understand Your Space Like a Pro

Before selecting plants or laying down pavers, it’s essential to assess the environment around your pool. Sunlight exposure, soil type, drainage patterns, and existing vegetation all influence what will thrive in your space. An experienced landscape designer can help interpret these conditions and recommend the right mix of materials and plant life to complement your pool—and your lifestyle.

Define the Vision: What Does Luxury Mean to You?

Every beautiful space begins with a vision. Consider how you want your pool area to feel and function. Are you imagining a modern, minimalist escape with clean lines and sculptural greenery? Or perhaps a romantic garden setting with soft lighting and flowering vines? A clear theme serves as your design compass—it will guide decisions about hardscaping, plants, lighting, and furniture.

Remember, luxury doesn’t mean complicated. It means curated. Your theme should reflect your personal taste and the architecture of your home, while creating a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors.

Landscaping Tips: Style Meets Simplicity

Designing the area around your above-ground pool is more than a finishing touch—it’s an opportunity to create a polished, functional space that enhances your outdoor lifestyle. Whether your goal is effortless elegance or a backyard built for entertaining, a thoughtful approach to landscaping can make all the difference. And for those seeking both beauty and ease? Low maintenance landscaping around an above ground pool offers the perfect solution.

Here’s how to get started:

Choose the Right Plants (and Let Nature Do the Heavy Lifting)

When it comes to luxury landscaping, your plant palette should be both intentional and intuitive. Selecting the right greenery can elevate your space without adding endless hours of upkeep.

Go for Graceful and Low-Maintenance:

 Look for ornamental grasses, evergreen shrubs, or native perennials that thrive in your region with minimal care. These plant choices provide texture and structure while keeping your weekend chore list short. Varieties like boxwood, liriope, and dwarf fountain grass blend well with upscale outdoor designs and don’t drop messy debris into your pool.

Avoid the High-Maintenance Drama:

 Trees that shed leaves, needles, or fruit may look great in theory—but in practice, they mean more skimming, sweeping, and frustration. Skip species like pine, magnolia, or fruiting mulberries and opt instead for tidy options like palm varieties (if your climate allows) or Japanese maple hybrids with slow growth and clean canopies.

Incorporate Hardscaping That Balances Form and Function

No luxurious poolscape is complete without hardscaping elements that define the space and create natural flow between zones.

Create a Seamless Surface:

 Patios and decks offer the ideal foundation for poolside seating, dining, and lounging. Materials like composite decking, natural stone, or stamped concrete not only look beautiful but also stand up to splashes and sun without constant maintenance.

Connect the Dots with Walkways:

 Strategic walkways made from large-format pavers or gravel inlayed stone paths allow you to move gracefully from one area of your yard to another—no muddy feet, no hassle. They’re also a great way to guide the eye and maintain a cohesive layout.

Add Privacy and Shade, the Upscale Way

Luxury and comfort go hand in hand—and both are easier to achieve with thoughtful screening and shade.

Elegant Enclosures:

 Create a sense of retreat with privacy screens, tall hedges, or modern fencing. Lattice panels wrapped in climbing vines can soften a fence line while providing coverage from neighbors. Tall, narrow evergreens like Italian cypress or sky pencil holly are perfect for tight spaces and high style.

Shade with Intention:

•  Shade structures like pergolas, cantilevered umbrellas, or modern shade sails can offer relief from the Texas sun without compromising the aesthetic. Add draped outdoor fabrics or slatted wood for that resort-level feel.

Accentuating Features: Add the Finishing Touches of Luxury

Once the foundation of your poolscape is in place, it’s time to add the elements that create atmosphere and elevate the everyday. These accents don’t just add beauty—they contribute to comfort, mood, and the overall flow of your outdoor space.

Illuminate with Intention

Lighting isn’t just functional—it’s transformative. A well-lit pool area invites late-night dips and brings a soft glow to your evening gatherings.

Ambiance Meets Safety:

 Place low-voltage or solar-powered LED path lights along walkways and decks to guide guests with subtle elegance. Underwater LEDs and uplighting around feature plants or sculptures add depth and dimension to your nighttime view. Thoughtful lighting is a hallmark of high-end landscaping around pool spaces.

Elevate with Art and Water

Curated Decor:

 Incorporate outdoor sculptures, metal wall art, or decorative planters that tie into your design theme—whether it's modern, coastal, or garden-inspired. These elements personalize the space and add visual interest without clutter.

Soothing Water Features:

 A sheer descent waterfall or a sleek fountain can introduce the calming sounds of water, making your above ground pool landscaping feel like a true retreat. These features also offer motion and sparkle that elevate the pool area’s visual appeal.

Design for Relaxation

Seating That Invites You to Stay Awhile:

 Comfortable, weather-resistant seating is essential for creating a space that invites connection and rest. Consider a mix of lounge chairs, hammocks, and even a compact outdoor sectional to accommodate guests—or just long, quiet afternoons. Choose neutral tones with plush cushions for a resort-style look that doesn’t require constant upkeep.

Maintenance Considerations: Beauty That Works with You

While designing a luxurious outdoor space is an art, maintaining it should never feel like a burden. The key to successful above ground pool landscaping lies in smart choices that blend form and function.

Keep It Accessible

Plan for Cleanliness:

 Make sure your landscaping design leaves adequate space around the pool for routine maintenance. Avoid dense planting beds or bulky features that crowd the perimeter. An open border with decorative stone or pavers can provide a polished look while allowing clear access for cleaning equipment and service professionals.

Prepare for the Seasons

Design with Adaptability in Mind:

 Your outdoor space should shine year-round. Choose hardy, low-maintenance plants that can handle seasonal shifts. For added elegance, rotate in seasonal planters filled with spring blooms or evergreen arrangements during colder months. The best landscaping around pool areas consider both peak summer enjoyment and year-round visual appeal.

Where Style Meets Simplicity

Thoughtfully designed landscaping around pool areas turns your backyard into a refined escape—and when done right, above ground pool landscaping offers all the style of an in-ground pool with less commitment. With elegant lighting, curated accents, and a focus on effortless maintenance, you can enjoy a poolside space that’s as beautiful as it is livable.

At Scapes Incorporated, we turn visions into luxury landscapes—customized, functional, and designed to delight for seasons to come.