Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Pooldeck Perfection


As the summer heat takes it toll, I'm sure most of you have been spending a lot of time in and around your pool. Inevitably you notice the little spots here and there that can be spruced up by adding a small accent plant or a specimen plant for color and texture. Below I have listed a few plants that are ideal to add color and variety without the added mess of planting flowering shrubs in your pool area.

Bromeliads - Pineapple plant relatives. They usually only get a couple feet in height and have a clumping habit. Very little maitenance and care are required.
Snake Plant - Very traditional houseplant, but it makes a great potted plant in a planter on the lanai. 2-3 feet in height. Very little maitenance and care are required.
Peperomia - A slow growing, slightly spreading plant that gets 6 inches to 2 feet in height, depending on the variety. Requires very little maintenance or care.
Pothos - A fast spreading groundcover and trailing plant that only gets 6 inches tall but can be trained to climb things. Requires some trimming to keep it under control.
Anthuriums - A moderate growing, clumping plant that can get 1-3 foot in height depending on the variety. Colorful, non-messy blossoms throughout the year in pinks, reds and whites. Great for containers and planters.
Caladiums - A deciduous perennial that reaches 2 foot in height. Colorful foliage all summer. Dies back in the winter but does not need to be dug up like the caladiums up north. They will return every Spring.
Crotons - A good old Florida favorite. Crotons are slow to fast growing and get anywhere from 1 foot to 5 feet in height depending on the variety you buy. Easy to care for, they require a little trimming to keep shapely.
Arboricola - A moderate to fast growing plant that gets 4-5 feet in height. A little trimming is required for maintenance of shape and size.
Heliconia - A fast growing runner running plant that gets 3-6 feet tall depending on the variety. The color also depends on variety you buy. Great for planters and pots. Blooms frequently in the summer months.