If you just had a pool put in, or you are looking at a backyard pool that has been sitting there for years surrounded by patchy grass and cracked concrete, you already know that poolside landscaping is what turns a hole full of water into an actual backyard retreat. New Jersey homeowners tell us the same thing almost every week. The pool itself was never the hard part. Figuring out the space around it is where things get complicated, especially once you factor in our clay soil, our freeze and thaw winters, and a set of local rules that a Florida or Arizona backyard never has to deal with.
This guide walks through drainage, planting, hardscape, low maintenance options, and the layout decisions that separate a pool that looks like an afterthought from one that feels like it was always meant to be there. If you have not yet planned the pool itself, our custom pool installation in NJ guide covers shapes, materials, and permitting in depth. This article picks up where that one leaves off, focused entirely on what happens around the water.
Why the Landscaping Around Your Pool Matters More Than People Think
A pool on its own is just a big container of water. What makes it feel like a resort is everything surrounding it: the patio material under your feet, the plants framing the edges, the drainage that keeps water from pooling where it should not, and a layout that gives people somewhere to sit besides the edge of the coping.
We have walked into plenty of New Jersey backyards where a perfectly nice pool was surrounded by dying sod, a few overgrown shrubs from the original builder, and a drainage problem nobody got around to fixing. It is one of the most common issues we see, and one of the easiest to prevent when landscaping is treated as part of the pool project instead of an afterthought.
Good pool landscape design does three things at once. It solves practical problems like drainage, debris, and erosion. It creates privacy and shade so the space actually gets used. And it gives the yard a sense of intention, so it reads as a designed outdoor living space rather than a pool dropped into an unfinished lot.
Start With Drainage: The Part Nobody Wants to Think About First
We are going to lead with this because it is genuinely the most overlooked piece of poolside landscaping, and it is the one that causes the most expensive headaches down the road. New Jersey soil, especially across the central and northern counties, tends to run clay heavy. Clay does not drain well. When you combine that with a pool deck, which is a large flat impervious surface, you get water that has nowhere to go except toward your foundation, your neighbor’s yard, or straight back into the pool area where it sits and breeds mosquitoes.
Landscape drainage around a pool needs to be planned before a single plant goes in the ground. A few approaches we use regularly:
- Grading the surrounding beds so water moves away from the pool deck and the house foundation, typically at a slope of about one quarter inch per foot.
- A French drain around pool perimeters, which is a gravel filled trench with a perforated pipe that intercepts groundwater before it reaches the deck or planting beds. This is especially useful on properties with a slope feeding toward the pool, or in yards where clay soil holds water for days after a storm.
- Pool drainage channels or trench drains set right at the edge of the coping, which catch splash water and rain runoff before it can pool up on the pavers or seep under the deck base.
- Dry wells in low spots of the yard, which give collected water somewhere to go instead of just moving the problem to a different corner of the property.
Skipping this step is how you end up with soggy planting beds, heaving pavers after a hard winter, and mulch that washes into the pool every time it rains. If you take away one thing from this whole article, let it be this: get your pool drainage and grading right before you fall in love with plant selections.
Also Read: How Much Does a Custom Pool Installation Cost in NJ? (2026 Pricing Guide)
Low Maintenance Landscaping Around the Pool: What Actually Works
Nobody wants to spend their Saturday morning skimming leaves out of the pool or replacing dead annuals every spring. Low maintenance landscaping around a pool is not about having no landscaping. It is about choosing the right materials and plants so the space looks good with a fraction of the upkeep.
Artificial Turf Around Pool Areas- Poolside Landscaping
Artificial turf around pool decks has become one of the most requested upgrades we install, and it makes sense once you think it through. Real grass next to a pool means constant mowing near water, grass clippings blowing into the filter, muddy footprints after rain, and brown patches from chlorine splash and heavy foot traffic. Artificial turf solves all of that. It stays green year round, drains quickly, does not need mowing or fertilizing, and it gives kids and pets a soft surface to play on that will not turn to mud after a storm. Quality synthetic turf products used today also handle New Jersey’s freeze and thaw cycles well when installed over a properly compacted base with adequate drainage underneath.
Mulch Around Pool Beds, Done Right- Poolside Landscaping
Mulch around pool areas is a bit of a double edged decision. It looks great, helps retain moisture in planting beds, and suppresses weeds, but the wrong mulch blows or washes into the pool and clogs your skimmer. A few practical notes from projects we have handled:
- Choose a heavier mulch, like shredded hardwood, over lightweight bark nuggets that float and travel in wind or rain.
- Keep mulch beds set back from the pool edge, ideally behind a low border or paver strip, rather than right up against the coping.
- Refresh mulch once a year instead of leaving it to break down and lose its ability to shed water.
Low Litter Plant Choices
The single biggest source of poolside maintenance headaches is plant debris. Trees and shrubs that drop leaves, seed pods, or flower petals constantly will keep you skimming the pool daily. We generally steer clients toward low litter varieties directly around the pool deck, and save the higher maintenance, more ornamental plants for the perimeter of the yard, away from the water. Ornamental grasses, boxwood, and hardy ferns tend to perform well right around the pool because they hold their form, do not shed heavily, and handle chlorine splash reasonably well.
Pool Surround Ideas: Getting the Hardscape Right
Your pool surround, meaning the decking, coping, and immediate border around the water, takes more abuse than almost any other surface on your property. Bare feet, pool chemicals, direct summer sun, and New Jersey winters all work against it.
Natural stone, like bluestone or travertine, stays noticeably cooler underfoot on a hot July afternoon and gives a pool area a timeless look that ages well. Concrete pavers are a more budget friendly option that can mimic natural stone while offering the practical advantage of being replaceable one at a time if a section ever cracks or stains. Stamped concrete is another option worth considering if you want a seamless look at a lower price point, though it does not offer that same easy spot repair.
Beyond material, a few pool surround ideas that consistently work well in New Jersey backyards:
- A planting strip between the coping and the deck edge, softening the hard line of stone or concrete and giving you a spot for low litter greenery.
- A paver border or steel edging that separates mulch beds from the pool deck, keeping loose material where it belongs.
- Built in seat walls along one side of the pool, which double as extra seating and a visual border without eating into deck space the way freestanding furniture does.
Also Read: 7 Critical Signs Your Building Needs Masonry Repair Before It’s Too Late
Pool Area Landscaping and Design Ideas by Yard Size
Not every New Jersey backyard has the same amount of room to work with, and the right approach really does depend on your lot.
Compact Suburban Lots- Poolside Landscaping
A lot of New Jersey properties, especially in towns with quarter to half acre lots, need every square foot to earn its place. On smaller properties, we lean toward vertical layering: a low hedge or ornamental grass border right at the pool edge, a taller privacy screen like arborvitae or a cedar fence along the property line, and a compact patio zone with a few pieces of furniture rather than a sprawling entertaining area. Container plantings also work well here, since they let you add color and texture without committing precious ground space to a permanent bed.
Mid Size Family Backyards- Poolside Landscaping
If you have more room to play with, this is where a real backyard pool layout starts to take shape. Think in zones: a sun deck area near the pool for lounging, a shaded seating area a bit further back, maybe a fire pit or grilling station off to one side. Layer plantings around the perimeter fence for privacy, keep low litter varieties close to the water, and use pathway lighting to connect the zones so the whole yard feels cohesive after dark rather than like separate, disconnected spaces.
Larger Properties and Custom Backyard Design
On bigger lots, especially the kind we see in towns with more acreage, there is room to build a genuine backyard oasis. This is where features like a stacked stone waterfall, a pergola or covered structure, an outdoor kitchen, and layered garden beds around a larger pool footprint really come together. A custom backyard design at this scale benefits enormously from having the pool, hardscape, and landscaping planned together from day one rather than added piecemeal over several years, since the drainage, grading, and sight lines all need to work as one system.
Landscaping Around Inground Pools: A Few New Jersey Specific Notes
Landscaping around inground pools comes with some considerations that do not apply to above ground setups. Inground pools sit lower relative to the surrounding grade in many cases, which means water management around the deck edge matters even more. It also means tree placement needs real thought. A mature tree planted too close to an inground pool can send roots toward the shell and plumbing lines over the years, and New Jersey’s clay soil already puts enough stress on pool structures without adding root pressure into the mix.
A good rule of thumb we use with clients is to keep larger trees at least fifteen to twenty feet from the pool edge, and to choose deep rooted rather than shallow, spreading root systems for anything planted closer than that. This protects both the pool shell and the surrounding hardscape from long term shifting.
Pool barrier and fencing rules also come into play here. New Jersey requires a compliant barrier around every inground pool, generally a fence at least four feet high with self closing, self latching gates. Landscaping can work with that requirement rather than against it. Layered plantings just outside a glass or aluminum pool fence can soften its look while keeping full code compliant visibility and safety intact.
Also Read: The Complete Spring Landscaping Checklist for Bergen County Homeowners
Swimming Pool Landscape Ideas for Privacy and Shade
Privacy is one of the top requests we get on pool landscape design ideas, right alongside low maintenance planting. Nobody wants their pool time visible to every passing car or a neighbor’s second floor window. A few approaches that hold up well in New Jersey:
- Layered evergreen screening: combining a taller row of arborvitae or holly with a shorter hedge in front, creates depth and blocks sightlines from multiple angles rather than a single flat wall of green.
- Pergolas and shade sails: over a portion of the deck give relief from direct sun during peak afternoon hours, which matters more than people expect during a humid Jersey summer.
- Cedar or composite privacy screening: used alongside plantings rather than instead of them, can close off narrow side yard views without waiting years for a hedge to fill in.
Building a True Poolside Retreat: Layout and Flow
The best backyard pool designs treat the space as a series of connected zones rather than one flat area. A poolside retreat generally includes a sunny lounging zone close to the water, a shaded seating or dining zone a bit further back, and clear, safe pathways connecting them, usually in a slip resistant paver or natural stone material.
Lighting ties all of it together once the sun goes down. Path lighting along walkways, uplighting on specimen trees or a feature wall, and subtle lighting near steps and level changes both extend the usable hours of the space and handle the safety side of things, which matters a great deal around water at night.
Easy Backyard Landscaping Habits That Keep a Pool Area Looking Sharp
Even a well designed pool landscape needs some ongoing care, though the goal is to keep that care as light as possible. A few habits that make a real difference over a season:
- Trim back plantings near the pool edge before they start dropping heavy debris into the water.
- Refresh mulch once a year rather than letting it break down into a soggy, weed friendly layer.
- Check that drainage channels and any French drain around pool areas stay clear of leaves and sediment, especially after a heavy storm.
- Rinse artificial turf occasionally to keep it free of pollen and debris, particularly during spring.
- Walk the paver joints each spring to catch any settling or weed growth before it becomes a bigger repair.
None of this requires a professional maintenance crew, but a quick seasonal check goes a long way toward protecting the investment you made in the pool and everything around it.
How Sunset Ridge Approaches Poolside Landscaping in New Jersey
We build full outdoor living spaces, not just pools, which means drainage, hardscape, and planting design are part of the same conversation from the start rather than an afterthought once the pool is finished. We know how New Jersey clay behaves, we know which plants hold up around chlorine and heavy foot traffic, and we know how to design a French drain or grading plan that actually keeps water moving away from your deck instead of pooling up after every storm.
If you are still in the planning stages of the pool itself, our full breakdown on custom pool installation in NJ walks through pool types, permitting, and cost. And if artificial turf around the pool sounds like the right fit for your yard, take a look at our artificial turf services for more detail on how that gets installed and maintained here in New Jersey.
Whether you are working with a quarter acre suburban lot or a larger property with room for a genuine backyard oasis, the process starts the same way, with a real conversation about how your family uses the yard and what the space around your pool needs to hold up to. Reach out to Sunset Ridge for a design consultation and let’s talk through what poolside landscaping could look like on your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best low-maintenance landscaping to plant around a pool?
The best low-maintenance landscaping around a pool includes ornamental grasses, boxwood shrubs, and hardy ferns. These plants hold their shape, shed very little debris, and tolerate occasional chlorine splash. Place flowering plants farther from the pool to reduce maintenance and keep petals and leaves out of the water.
Do I need a French drain around my pool?
You may need a French drain around your pool if your yard has clay soil, poor drainage, slopes toward the pool, or frequently collects standing water. A properly installed French drain moves water away from the pool deck, helping protect the coping, hardscape, and surrounding landscaping from water damage.
Is artificial turf a good option around an inground pool?
Yes, artificial turf is an excellent option around an inground pool. It drains quickly, stays green year-round, eliminates mud and grass clippings, and requires very little maintenance. When installed over a properly prepared base, it also performs well through New Jersey’s freeze-thaw cycles.
How far should trees be planted from an inground pool?
Large trees should generally be planted at least 15 to 20 feet from an inground pool. This helps prevent roots from damaging the pool shell, plumbing, or surrounding hardscape. Choosing smaller ornamental trees with non-invasive root systems can provide shade and privacy without creating long-term problems.
What mulch is safe to use around a pool?
Shredded hardwood mulch is one of the best choices around a pool because it is heavier and less likely to blow or wash into the water than lightweight bark mulch. Installing edging or a paver border also helps keep mulch contained during rain and regular landscape maintenance.
How much does poolside landscaping cost in New Jersey?
Poolside landscaping in New Jersey typically costs $3,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on the project’s size, materials, drainage requirements, lighting, and plant selection. Simple planting upgrades cost less, while complete pool landscape renovations with hardscaping and artificial turf require a larger investment.
Can I add landscaping around an existing pool with a fence?
Yes, you can add landscaping around an existing pool with a fence. Planting shrubs, ornamental grasses, and privacy screens outside the fence softens its appearance while maintaining visibility, safety, and compliance with local pool fence regulations.
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