Designing the perfect poolside landscape in Toronto requires careful consideration of not only the aesthetics but also the plants’ ability to thrive in the local climate. As the leading pool landscaping company in Toronto, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with poolside plant selection.
In this guide, we present an in-depth exploration of the top 15 plants that are tailored for pool landscaping in Ontario’s diverse conditions.
15 Plants for Pool Landscaping in Ontario
1. Succulents and Sedum: Drought-Resistant Elegance
Succulents and sedums stand out as remarkable choices for pool landscaping due to their incredible ability to withstand Toronto’s variable climate. These water-efficient plants thrive in sunny conditions, requiring minimal upkeep. Their wide range of textures and colours, spanning from deep greens to vibrant reds and purples, introduces a touch of modern elegance to your pool area. Varieties like Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum) showcase intricate rosette patterns, while Stonecrop (Sedum) boasts clusters of star-shaped flowers that further enrich the landscape.
2. Emerald Green Arborvitae: Privacy and Evergreen Beauty
Privacy is paramount in any swimming pool design, and the Emerald Green Arborvitae offers a lush and enduring solution. These towering evergreens create a natural screen that effectively secludes your pool area from prying eyes while their vibrant green foliage maintains its allure year-round. The meticulous columnar growth of these trees adds an architectural element that enhances both aesthetics and solitude.
3. Little Spire Russian Sage: A Touch of Lavender Bliss
For a delicate and fragrant addition to your poolside oasis, the Little Spire Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a remarkable choice. Its slender spikes of lavender-blue flowers create an atmosphere of tranquillity and romance. The aromatic foliage releases a subtle fragrance that heightens the sensory experience of your poolside haven. This perennial’s adaptability to Toronto’s climate and its drought tolerance make it a reliable and low-maintenance addition.
4. Adam’s Needle Yucca: Sculptural Beauty
The Adam’s Needle Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) is a living sculpture that introduces a touch of desert-inspired elegance to your pool landscaping in Ontario. Its spiky, sword-like leaves converge into a focal point that complements various design themes. Thriving in a range of soil types, this low-maintenance plant possesses a rugged charm that contrasts beautifully with the pool’s fluid environment.
5. Japanese Maples: Elegance in Every Season
Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) are renowned for their captivating foliage that transitions through an array of stunning hues. From fiery reds in autumn to vibrant greens in spring, these trees bring an element of sophistication to your poolside scenery. Their ability to thrive in partial shade is well-suited to Toronto’s conditions, making them a versatile choice for those seeking a touch of elegance throughout the seasons.
6. False Cypress: Versatile Elegance
The world of False Cypress (Chamaecyparis) unfolds a versatile tapestry of sizes, shapes, and colours, allowing for a customized swimming pool design. From compact mounds to lofty pyramids, these evergreens imbue the area with visual interest and structure. Their foliage ranges from delicate greens to enchanting blues and golds, presenting an opportunity to create a nuanced and visually appealing environment.
7. Ivy: Cascading Greenery
The timeless beauty of ivy transcends trends, offering cascading greenery that transforms your poolside area into a lush haven. English Ivy (Hedera helix) is renowned for its vigorous growth and ability to cover walls, fences, and trellises, creating a living tapestry that evokes intimacy. Careful management prevents overgrowth while preserving the evergreen allure that casts a soothing shade over the pool area.
8. Hostas: Beauty in the Shade
In the shade-dappled corners of your poolside, Hostas emerge as a vibrant option. These shade-loving perennials boast an array of sizes and leaf colours, spanning deep greens, soothing blues, and captivating patterns. Their lush foliage contributes texture and colour to the landscape, establishing a serene ambience that complements the cool tranquillity of the pool.
9. Ornamental Grasses: Graceful Movement
The inclusion of ornamental grasses introduces an enchanting element of movement to your poolside vista. With their swaying plumes and gently rustling blades, these grasses evoke a sense of calm and relaxation. Varieties like Maiden Grass (Miscanthus) and Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) infuse the landscape with delicate elegance, requiring only minimal maintenance to sustain their allure.
10. Shrubs: Structure and Form
The strategic integration of shrubs into your swimming pool design offers an opportunity to play with structure, form, and year-round interest. Evergreen options like Boxwood (Buxus) exude formal elegance, while the showy blooms of Hydrangeas add a burst of colour to the environment. Whether you’re defining spaces, ensuring privacy, or complementing other plants, shrubs are versatile components that infuse the area with depth and dimension.
11. Hornbeam: Charming Canopy
The Hornbeam (Carpinus) lends itself to the creation of a charming and shaded canopy around your pool area. Its dense foliage forms a captivating overhead shelter, casting delightful patterns of light and shadow. The Hornbeam’s adaptability to pruning allows for creative manipulation, shaping the trees into arches, tunnels, or symmetrical structures that harmonize with your design vision.
12. Fruitless Olive Tree: Mediterranean Flair
Introduce a touch of Mediterranean allure to your poolside sanctuary with the Fruitless Olive Tree (Olea europaea). These iconic trees, with their silvery-green leaves and distinctive twisted trunks, evoke the rustic charm of Mediterranean landscapes. Though they don’t bear fruit, their aesthetic impact is substantial, offering a blend of beauty and grace. Thriving in sunny conditions, Olive trees align perfectly with Toronto’s climate.
13. Tall Phlox: Vibrant Blooms
Tall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) bursts forth with vibrant blooms, infusing your swimming pool design with a kaleidoscope of colours. The towering spikes of these fragrant flowers range from pink and purple to white and red, creating a dynamic and inviting atmosphere around the pool. Flourishing in full sun to partial shade, they invite pollinators and bring the magic of nature’s palette to your outdoor space.
14. Serviceberry: Delicate Charm
Serviceberry trees (Amelanchier) add a layer of delicate charm to your pool landscaping in Ontario. These trees are known for their ethereal white blossoms that emerge in spring, followed by clusters of edible berries that delight in the warmer months. The multi-season interest of Serviceberries ensures that your poolside area remains visually captivating throughout the year. Being native to Ontario, these trees thrive in Toronto’s climate. Read more about the benefits of planting native trees.
15. Bergenia: All-Season Appeal
Bergenia (Bergenia) stands as a versatile perennial that boasts year-round appeal in your poolside landscape. Its leathery leaves retain their lush green hue throughout the seasons, offering a consistent backdrop even in the colder months. In the spring, Bergenia’s clusters of pink or white flowers burst forth, attracting early pollinators and infusing the landscape with vitality. Its adaptability to various light conditions makes it an enduring choice for enhancing texture and colour around the pool.
FAQs About Pool Landscaping in Ontario
1. Can I incorporate daylilies and ferns in the same poolside landscape?
Absolutely! Daylilies and ferns can coexist harmoniously, adding layers of colour and texture to your swimming pool design and landscape. Daylilies’ vibrant blooms contrast beautifully with the lush greenery of ferns, creating a captivating visual interplay that enriches your outdoor oasis.
2. Are there specific varieties of Japanese Maples that thrive in Toronto’s climate?
Indeed, several Japanese Maple varieties are well-suited to Toronto’s climate. Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ with its deep red foliage and Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’ with its coral-coloured branches are two standout choices that can add stunning hues to your poolside landscape.
3. How can I ensure the privacy provided by the Emerald Green Arborvitae remains consistent throughout the year?
Maintaining the privacy offered by Emerald Green Arborvitae involves regular pruning to control its growth and shape. Our expert landscapers can guide you on the best practices to ensure these evergreens remain a reliable natural screen around your pool area.
4. Can I mix and match succulents with other plant types for a diverse poolside landscape?
Absolutely! Combining succulents with other plant types adds an interesting contrast in forms and textures. Consider placing succulents in decorative pots alongside taller plants or using them as ground cover to create a unique and dynamic poolside scene.
5. How do I care for the Fruitless Olive Tree to ensure its healthy growth in Toronto?
Fruitless Olive Trees thrive in sunny locations. Regular watering during the first few years is crucial for establishment. Pruning should be done during the dormant season to maintain its shape. Our experts can provide tailored care instructions to ensure your tree flourishes in Toronto’s climate.
Elevate Your Poolside with Our Expertise in Landscaping in Ontario
Transform your poolside haven into an enchanting oasis that seamlessly merges nature’s beauty with expert design. At Land-Con, we specialize in crafting custom plant landscaping solutions that accentuate the allure of your pool area. Our team of seasoned experts possesses an intricate understanding of Toronto’s climate, ensuring your chosen plants not only thrive but flourish year-round.
From the sculptural elegance of Adam’s Needle Yucca to the cascading greenery of ivy, our curated selection of plants caters to diverse tastes and preferences. We don’t just create landscapes. We weave dreams into reality, enriching your outdoor space with the vibrancy and tranquillity it deserves.
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for perfection, we tailor each design to match your home’s aesthetic and your vision of an ideal poolside escape. Let us be your partners in creating a poolside sanctuary that’s uniquely yours, a masterpiece that fuses creativity, expertise, and the timeless allure of nature.
Discover the transformative power of custom plant landscaping with us. Contact us at 416.504.5263 or email us at info@landcon.ca for a free consultation to discuss your requirements for landscaping in Ontario.
