Your pictures didn't come through. You must be MOL north of us, we're in mid south central Oklahoma; zone 7, wanna be zone 8. (We had evergreen roses, and a lilac blooming on December 31st!)

I see the pictures.

It sure seems like a lot of paved and bricked surface. Have you though about drainage? I am glad I am not the one that has to cut all those bricks.

- Brent

Bricks can be hot too. I'd plan for more shade up by the house.

I agree it's too much hardscape for my taste. Also, if you are going to add paving in addition to the pool paving, I'd choose a stone or stone-like product that is closer in color to the concrete.

As far as the plantings, the Victorian-era style of bed that uses masses of a single perennial, replanted every year, are more suitable to a commercial or public building than a residential setting. I'd like to see a more mixed, more relaxed planting that harmonized with the curves of the pool and paving.

Trees and pools don't get along to well. Some type of structure for shade would be best. BTW: Good example of how landscaping software can be of great use! (yea, yea I know)

BTW whose roof you standing on?

I agree, a structure providing shade would make the area more pleasant to sit in. Looks like it would be broiling in summer unless you are in the pool. A lot of brick and concrete.

And though I love Cercis trees, an evergreen tree that doesn't drop much litter might be a better choice than a Cercis near a pool. I also wonder about the "monkey" grass and elephant ears-- don't they need some shade?

The banana looks lonely all by itself, more than 1, perhaps 2 or 3 groups of 3 might be better.

Well fizzle. I'm not seeing anything. I wonder if my ISP isn't blocking adsfactory? :^(

Consider vine-covered pergolas (or gazebo?) and tall tropical-esque plants. The plantings you have in the plan are too short. There needs to be vertical height--for shade, privacy, and to balance the broad flat plane of the pool and pavement.

Also, one of the problems with photo mockups that is frequently mentioned is that they allow you to add whatever looks good to you, without regard for whether it will actually fit in the space. The tree near the house looks like it's planted way too close to the side of the house. If you still want to plant it there, measure to be sure it can spread out as it grows, or you'll be hacking it to pieces trying to keep it off the house.

First of all, I must say that the scale seems off to me, as per usual with these mock-ups. The area where you plan to put the Forest Pansy (I love that tree, by the way) seems like it would accomodate that and nothing else, to my mind anyway.

Your plan, in my opinion, has too much of some things and not enough of other things. Specifically, that's a lot of "monkey grass". Do you mean to use liriope, which some call lily turf, or do you mean ophiopogon japonicus, which I know as mondo grass? Mondo grass will burn in the full sun, so it shouldn't be that. Liriope should be fine, just don't use the invasive creeping liriope. However, I still think there is too much of it. I wonder if you should limit it's usage somehow. In particular I don't think its form works well with the fountain...something else perhaps. Also, too much of the same annual for my taste. Mix it up and have fun!

I like the banana tree idea near the pool, but more than one would be nice. Finally, something seems off about the green barberry, yaupon holly, green barberry combo and the red barberry, holly, red barberry...not pool-surround like maybe. If you want to use barberry I don't think you need to break it up with a holly in the middle. And/or group the yaupon holly together.

Finally, I agree that there is too much brick. I kind of like the grassy area there...seems somehow cooler.

I remember hearing a rule about using jewelry; the rule is to put on as many pieces as you think are needed for a particular outfit and then remove at least one piece. I think that principle might be useful here as well.

Great looking pool!

Patty

A floating deck might also be cooler than bricks.
I realise OK isn't quite as hot as TX, but it's sure hasn't seemed very cool when I've been there!

That said, I think the bricks would look fine.

I'm very fond of tropicals and the tropicalesque, but I get an uncomfortable jolt when I see the bananas, elephant ears, and hibiscus next to barberries and holly. Also the light pole, which seems like an urban street feature, clashes with what should be an intimate paradise. I'm getting mixed messages. Decide which direction you want to go: lush tropical and intimate, or grand boulevard. (I'm exaggerating to make the point, forgive me.)

I don't have a problem with the brick, but I would sure be looking for some shade, whether umbrellas or a pergola.

I struggle with the same problem sometimes, I like many things and lots of styles, but they just don't mix, so I have to force myself to edit, edit, edit.

Catkim, I think you identified the problem I was having with the barberry/holly and the banana tree/hibiscus. One seems New England winter, the other Florida sun. And how interesting about the street light...where would that go exactly? Bourbonlady, I think you would be happier with lighting on the opposite side of the walk from the fountain.

I have often suggested on these forums to take a walk into the local nursery, grab a plant of choice, put it in the wagon and then wheel it around to compare it to other plants. I can seriously do this for hours! If you haven't already done this, give it a try. It may change you mind about some things.

Patty

I have to agree with saypoint that it would be more suited for poolside at the Hilton hotel. It's showy and can keep your interest for a few days but as far as feeling intimacy and lushness, it's not residential type or if it is - it's a public area type. I like the amount of hardscape because it's easier to keep clean. But the planting is very impersonal.

Something else I've been paying close attention to with design styles, is their ability to withstand imperfections. Masses are wonderfully inpressive because they are all one texture, but one weed ruins it. Mixes mask a few weeds here and there, so it takes the pressure off.