Tropical serenity epitomized in Martha Stewart's private pool area - visually stunning and remarkably easy to maintain.
Create a breathtaking and low-maintenance poolside garden inspired by tropical paradises, reminiscent of Martha Stewart's stunning backyard retreat. Here's how to achieve this tropical paradise with a touch of British flair.
Plant Choices for a Tropical Feel
The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is an iconic tropical plant that adds architectural shape and colourful flowers to your garden. With bold banana-like leaves and striking orange-blue flowers, this plant offers a vibrant touch without creating much mess. Drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in zones 9 to 11, requiring full sun to partial shade and well-drained fertile soil. It grows about 5-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, ideal for creating a resort-style surrounding around your pool.
Golden Palms (a variety of Butterburs, Petasites) are another excellent choice for a tropical feel. With large shimmering metallic golden leaves that resemble palm fronds, this plant offers bold foliage that provides a lush tropical look. It works well as a ground cover near water features or in moist, shaded spots. It grows to about 24 inches tall and wide, suitable for shaded areas in zones 6 to 10.
Design Tips and Maintenance
To transform your pool environment into a lush, resort-like oasis, use a mix of foliage plants and grasses. This combination creates a visually appealing and relaxing atmosphere, even when you're not swimming. Select resilient, drought-tolerant plants that can handle hot summer sun and occasional splashing from the pool to minimise maintenance. Incorporate low-maintenance ground covers like the golden palms to fill spaces and reduce weeding and upkeep.
Consider adding tropical-style outdoor rugs with leaf or palm designs on the poolside patio to enhance the aesthetic while keeping it easy to manage and visually tropical.
Additional Inspiration from Martha Stewart's Backyard Pool Landscaping
Martha Stewart's design is noted for its tropical tranquility and being surprisingly low-maintenance, relying on thoughtful plant placement and hardy species that tolerate outdoor poolside conditions well. The emphasis is on creating a natural yet elegant look that complements the pool without requiring constant care.
By focusing on bold architectural plants like bird of paradise combined with lush, metallic leaf ground covers and incorporating tropical-themed outdoor decor elements, you can achieve a creative, tropical-inspired, and low-maintenance poolside garden similar to Martha Stewart’s style. This approach balances beauty with practicality—perfect for luxurious yet easy-care backyard landscapes.
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By following Martha Stewart's approach, you can create a sustainable poolside garden that emulates tropical paradises. Planting Bird of Paradise and Golden Palms offers a vibrant touch while ensuring minimal maintenance. Additionally, incorporating low-maintenance ground covers and tropical-style outdoor rugs enhances the aesthetic, making it easy to maintain.
