Hello Teddybear, I would think there are a couple of things you could do with this space. Since you don't want to weed then putting flowers there is probably not a good idea. If you have a clumping kind of grass like a fescue then it won't invade the other side of your edging and you can just replant this dirt area. If your grass is a running grass like bermuda then you need to contain it by putting a barrier at least a foot deep under the edging and regularly cutting back the runners that will try to go over the top. I am kind of curious about why you don't seem to have a problem with weeds in the gravel. Maybe you could move your edging out to the new level of the grass and fill in more gravel but although gravel may discourage some weeds I've never seen it totally stop them. Pavers would do a better job stopping weeds but you would probably have to occasionally spray whatever comes up in between them. A picture would probably help you get more response here but you seemed to explain your problem Ok. Good Luck, Maria

Far as the berries it is easy to cover them when they are fruiting and unless you have a tree over your poll I doubt the droppings will be a problem. I would not put the blueberries anywhere they will get splashed with pool water.

You might post on Cottage Gardens; this is more a garden design kind of problem, & that's right up their alley.

Most people do not want deciduous trees too close to a pool on account of tree debris getting in the water. Too, the space you've allotted for a tree is not enough. The "bed" to the right of the tree is seriously too small to be good for anything thing. But on that side of the deck is the better place for a small tree. Enlarge that bed substantially and put the Japanese maple over there. Around the pool you are only allowing enough room for perennial. There are many options for perennials but hybrid daylilies come to mind and one of the cheery looking, longer blooming ones.