Container Plant Near Pool?

15 years ago

Help! I am a black thumb and we moved into a house with several large containers (3 ft high, 2-3 ft in diameter)around the pool. There is no water/sprinkling there and it is in full, Los Angeles sun.

What can I plant that is showy/colorful, requires minimal watering and would not shed lots of leaves, etc. into the pool? My ideal colors are red and/or yellow.

I tried cannas last year and they just didn't grow. I have thought of cactus but given that there are tons of children playing around a pool, felt that was probably a bad idea (depending on the child, of course!).

Thanks for any advice... I am tired of staring at bare, ugly planters.

Comments (8)

wanda
15 years ago
Maybe some of the many types of succulents...lots of Aloes with yellow or orange flowers.

Phormiums (Flax) might be another option.

I have a wine barrel with a brown colored phormium, orange flowered Arctotis, and chalky blue succulents.
There's many combinations you can make with succulents and they don't require a lot of water.

wanda
jean001
15 years ago
It was said: "... and they don't require a lot of water."

That's only after they are established.
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hosenemesis
15 years ago
Jade plants with small-leaved variegated ivies. Both survive despite infrequent watering, jade plant grows up, ivy grows down. Throw a blue festuca or two in each pot and it's got color.

Other options: ivy leaved geraniums (pelargoniums). They come in red, but they need water. Asparagus ferns will live through most anything and they cascade, good around pools. I love them in pots.
Renee
bahia
15 years ago
I'd also suggest using succulents in these containers, because most can take the full sun and reflected heat with just once a week handwatering. Aloes, soft Agaves such as A.attenuata or A. bracteosa, Bulbine frutescens, Aeonium simsii and A. haworthii, and other South African plants such as Arctotis cultivars(winter into spring blooming daisies in a multitude of colors), Kalanchoe pumila, Ice plants such as Lampranthus, Drosanthemum, Crassula 'Campfire', are all plants that can give lots of year round color with just once or at most twice a week handwatering. Phormiums will tend to burn in inland S. California sun. Make sure you have new good potting soil and work in enough time release fertilizer, and maybe even incorporate some of the water absorbing polymers into the soil mix to help retain available soil moisture between hand waterings.
worldofyardcraft
15 years ago
In my poolside containers I have a dwarf satsuma and dwarf lemon. I water them once a week. When small though they do need careful watering, as any plant does when it's new and growing
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
15 years ago
I would do Agave attenuata (no thorns, soft foliage) underplanted with the blue chalksticks Senecio. If you can remember to water every couple weeks in the dry season and not at all in the rainy season they'll be fine for years. For color, pop in some glass globes in the colors you love.

Or just put in sculptural elements like bamboo poles spray painted in your colors, mixed with glass globes, terra cotta globes, a striking large stone or two with a layer of polished stones, or copper finials, or other objects with cool shapes...there's no law says you HAVE to have plants.
barbiekemp
15 years ago
There is a fellow in my neighborhood who sells containers of Plumerias at monthly yard sales... one time he let me go into his backyard to look at some larger specimens. I saw that his entire behind-the-pool wall was lined in the most beautiful Plumerias of every color and size. These apparently like the pool evaporation and Orange County heat. The rest of this yard was also filled with these plants. I was SO jealous, first because of the pool, and then I saw what a lovely tropical wonderland these made, so California! I only wish I had the guts to ask him for permission to take a few photos.

Plumerias are Mexican natives, and love our hot summers. They don't need tons of water, and only seem to shed seasonally. I didn't see any leaves in the guy's pool either. Maybe you could try a few?
bekka
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow! Thanks for all the great ideas, guys. I will check things out and get to the nursery!