Swimming Pools

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Ground Rules for Landscaping

Landscaping Basic Design Techniques

Landscaping Design Elements

Swimming Pool, Selection of plants

Ground Rules for Landscaping

As you plan your swimming pool setting it may be helpful to think in terms of four basic landscape goals: Unity, Balance, Variety, and Proportion.

Unity

Unity in a swimming pool setting is achieved when everything looks as though it belongs togethe. No landscape elements stand out; each blends with the other parts, as well as with the house and the lot.

To achieve unity, avoid designing too many distinctive units that will have to be tied together. The more units you divide your landscape into, the harder it will be to create unity.

Balance

Balance – not to be confused with symmetry – does a lot to make a swimming pool setting pleasing. Most likely, you pool will be the focal point of your landscape design. Achieve balance by combining design elements that produce the same visual weight on either side of this center of interest. A large tree or structure on one side of the swimming pool, for example, can be balanced with a grouping of smaller trees on the other.

But don't try to make these relationships too equal. Remember that mass isn't the only expression of visual weight; it can be expressed with color, form, or interest, as well.

Variety

Variety breaks up what could be monotonous unity. Differing but complementary grade levels, construction materials, textures, colors, and shapes arouse visual interest both horizontally and vertically.

Vary an expanse of pavement with two different paving materials, such as wood and exposed aggregate concrete. Plant shrubs in groupings of various heights and colors.

Proportion

Proportion demands that the various forms, materials, and open spaces of your landscape be in scale with one another. Nothing looks more out of place than a small swimming pool in a yard as flat and expansive as a football field, or an over-sized patio that looks more like a parking lot than an entertainment area.

Landscape elements need to be in scale not only with one another, but also with your house, lot, and swimming pool. If your lot is extremely large, try breaking the space up into several distinct areas. Screens, plantings, patios, or walks become borders or barriers that can divide your yard into intimate areas.

To maintain proportion in a small lot, keep the design simple and uncluttered. Tall vertical screens used to enclose a small area will actually make it seem larger, as will solid paving. Use plants with restraint – over-planting will just add clutter.

When selecting plantings, keep their ultimate size and shape in mind. Though a plant when young may suit the proportion of your lot, it may grow far too tall for it within a few years.