10 Ways to Use Planters in Your Pool Deck Design

So, you finally have your dream pool all set up and ready for use in your backyard. The water is crystal clear, cool, and beautiful, but now, what can you do to really ramp it up to the next level? What about some attractive poolside planters to accentuate an already outstanding landscape design? Planters are an excellent way to bring in a pop of color to your pool deck and add a bit of personality to your outdoor oasis.

1. Custom Planters

For homeowners who haven’t finished installing a pool, custom planter boxes can be a great choice. Custom planters blend perfectly with your new pool design and come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors.

Custom planter boxes are designed to be an extension of your pool. Whether you stick with the same brick style as your patio or reflect the unique features of your pool design through thoughtful waterscaping designs, there are several ways to make the entire presentation feel very sleek and complete.

Unfortunately, options for integrated custom planters are a bit more limited if your pool is already built, but you can still create custom planters to place around your pool deck’s edge.

2. Vertical Garden Planters

If you’re tired of your nosy neighbors constantly peering over your fence as you enjoy your pool (and potentially invite themselves over to use it), you’re in luck. Vertical garden planters are a great way to add a living privacy fence of summer plant species around your pool.

Although a vertical garden planter takes time to get started, it quickly becomes low maintenance if you plant the appropriate perennials. All you need to do is select a sturdy wall or fence to place the vertical planters on and pick a variety of vines and unique plantings to grow. You don’t need to have the greatest green thumb to get vertical gardens to grow relatively quickly around your pool, helping to provide more privacy.

3. Self-Watering Planters

Spend your time enjoying your pool rather than having to worry about watering your plants with self-water planters. Self-water planters are simple to use and easy to maintain, cutting out an entire step of your daily routine. You can either buy self-watering planters or build them yourself using items as common as a plastic water bottle or container.

4. Planter Clusters

If your backyard oasis is looking a little ordinary and you want to invest in something that brings it to life, consider using clusters of planters. Clustered planter groups give your pool deck a busier look and fill in the blank spaces.

Like all of the other poolside planter ideas listed here, planter clusters have a lot of customization. From color, size, and shape to the types of greenery you plant in each one, you can’t go wrong. Some popular summer flower and plant varieties for Midwest environments include:

  • Geraniums
  • Hostas
  • Peonies
  • Petunias
  • Marigolds
  • And more

Of course, you want to ensure that all of your garden plantings thrive throughout the seasons. So, it’s critical that you check with your chosen landscaping company or do your own background research to find the best flower species to survive in your local climate.

5. Cubist Planters

Cubism is so much more than just an art style – it’s an innovative and modern approach to planters around your pool. The design options are endless when it comes to the color and size of cubist planters for pools. These cube-shaped containers can be low profile or tall and majestic. The style is always wholly up to you. The cube shape will keep your pool area feeling chic and clean, with sharp lines that contrast the soft, subtle waves echoing over your pool’s surface.

6. Decorative Vases and Urns

If you prefer a more simplistic approach to your poolside landscape design, having one or two statement pieces is a perfect way to bring personality and color into your backyard. Large urns and unique vases are an easy way to make a statement with minimal effort. In addition, there are endless possibilities of what to put in these types of containers, including:

  • Glass Marbles
  • Aggregate Stones
  • Gravel
  • Sand
  • Birch Tree LImbs
  • Cattails
  • Tall Grass

7. Raised Garden Planters

We all know how quickly the weather can change here in the Great North, which is what makes container planters an excellent option for your poolside plants and flowers. Like decorative vases and urns, you can easily move these planter styles to catch the perfect sunray or shuffle them inside when a surprise cold spell occurs. These containers can be any size, and you can utilize self-watering processes to help keep the maintenance low.

8. Recycled Garden Planters

Do you know those old tires that you’ve meant to get rid of in your garage? Have you ever considered repurposing them to add some unique flair to your backyard? Tires are a fantastic option for a poolside planter since they’re virtually weather-proof, and any splashing chlorine will not harm the material’s exterior.

Don’t worry; If boring, black rubber tires aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to enhance your recycled DIY garden planter. Make it a fun activity, and try spray painting your old tires with fun colors and stacking multiples to create a beautiful, colorful, and sustainable statement piece for your pool.

9. Cascading Planters

While pools are an exciting element to have on any property, their seemingly “flat” appearance does nothing when it comes to adding fullness or height to your backyard. Cascading planters can enhance your backyard by adding a dimensional element to an otherwise dimensionless space.

10. Create a Combination

Do you feel completely overwhelmed with all of these ideas? Or do you find yourself liking them all? There’s absolutely nothing stopping you from combining some (or all) of these pool deck planter styles to make your backyard oasis look exactly as you envisioned. 

Schedule a Consultation Today

Summer may be quick here in Minnesota, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your pool deck visually appealing. So many design elements can help add personality and color to your pool deck. From simple DIY containers and decorative vases to chic, cohesive custom planters or a combination of them all, the options are truly endless. Adding these fun elements will elevate your backyard and leave your neighbors even more envious of your pool deck in no time.

Contact the experienced design team at ALD for help building a beautiful pool deck landscape design, complete with attractive planters. Our experts are backed by over seventeen years of experience and are prepared to guide you through these big choices so you feel satisfied with a beautiful landscape design around your pool. Schedule a consultation with Architectural Landscape Design today.