Most areas require a fence around a pool or hot tub, but fences don t necessarily make for good views. Cover yours with shrubbery, vines or consider hanging baskets for well-placed spots of color. If you have a shady area, create texture and a sense of coolness with native ferns. Team them with a variety of variegated hosta, another low-maintenance perennial. Together these plants will emphasize the coolness of a shady area.
Daylilies also perform well.
You also might want to combine colors and blooming times. Plant daylilies in big masses for the greatest impact. These multiply and give you nice textured foliage nine months out of the year, Ms. Greer says. And combination benches and planter boxes are a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to add color, depth and extra seating to your pool area. Your pool and spa can become magical at night with the addition of some well-chosen plants.