The plants chosen for the poolside landscape must meet specific criteria. In addition to being beautiful, they mustn’t be overly messy, nor should they be too attractive to stinging insects. A drought tolerant poolscape of mixed native plants is an appropriate way to add softness, texture and beauty to your backyard oasis. The native plants listed below, with their unique grey- green, fragrant foliage, and subtle flowers are perfect choices for the poolside landscape.
Groundcover
- Arctostaphylos ‘Emerald carpet’ manzanita
- Artemisia pycnocephala ‘David’s choice’
- Baccharis ‘Twin Peaks’ Prostate coyote bush
- Salvia ‘Tera Seca’ Tera seca sage
Tera Seca sage
Low Shrubs
- Arctostaphylos cruzensis – Arroyo de la cruz manzanita
- Arctostaphylos ‘John Dourley’ manzanita
- Arctostaphylos ‘Howard Mcminn’ manzanita
- Rhamnus ‘Little sur’ Litte sur coffeeberry
- Salvia greggii – Autumn sage
Pink Autumn sage
Perennials
- Galvezia speciosa – Island bush snapdragon
- Heuchera hybrids – Coral bells
- Iris douglasiana – Douglas iris
- Lobelia laxiflora – Mexican lobelia bush
- Muhlenbergia rigens – Deergrass
- Nasella species – Needlegrass
- Nolina parryi – Beargrass
- Oenothera – Evening primrose
- Penstemon spectabilis – Showy penstemon
- Verbena lilacina – Lilac verbena
- Zauschneria californica – California fuschia
California fuschia
Large Shrubs
- Artemisia tridentata – Big basin sagebrush
- Dendromecon harfordii – Island bush poppy
- Myrica californica – Pacific wax myrtle
- Rhus integrifolia – Lemonadeberry
- Rhus ovata – Sugarbush
Sugar bush