A concrete pool is a strong design element in any yard. It instantly gives the space a high-end, structured, durable look. But for the landscaping to truly shine, the plant environment around the pool plays a key role. The right plants provide privacy, a relaxing ambiance, a resort-like feel, all while minimizing maintenance and common irritants (leaves in the water, invasive roots, insects, etc.).

And since precast concrete pools from Bayto Pools can also be used in winter, the goal isn’t to create a purely summer landscape. You want a layout that still looks beautiful in November, welcoming in January, and vibrant in spring. In short: a true four-season landscape around your pool!

Here are some great plant ideas that work perfectly around a pool.

Evergreen Trees: The Best Ally for a Winter Landscape

If you want a beautiful yard even in the heart of winter, conifers (also known as evergreen trees) are essential. They keep their foliage, add structure to the landscape, and provide a green background even under the snow.

Perfect examples near a pool

• White cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
  Extremely popular in Quebec for its density and ability to create privacy screens. Ideal for year-round seclusion.

• Dwarf spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, dwarf Picea abies)
  Compact shapes that won’t take over your space. No issues with aggressive roots when planted at a proper distance.

• Dwarf pine (Pinus mugo)
  Great for a natural look, with beautiful winter resilience.

Why they’re practical around a pool

Minimal leaf drop, great stability, and a polished look all year long.

Four-Season Decorative Shrubs: Beautiful in Summer, Spectacular in Fall

Some shrubs offer true multi-season beauty: spring flowers, lush summer foliage, vibrant fall colors, and elegant winter silhouettes.

Shrubs that work beautifully around a pool

• Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
  Hardy, abundant blooms, and dried flowers that stay attractive well into winter.

• Red-twig dogwood (Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’)
  A four-season essential: green in summer, stunning red branches in winter.

• Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
  Purple or golden foliage, very graphic, and highly resistant to Quebec’s climate.

Design tip: Plant shrubs in groups (3, 5, or 7 plants) for a stronger visual impact and a more harmonious look.

Ornamental Grasses: Elegance and Movement, Even in Winter

Though often associated with summer, grasses are incredible in winter. They turn golden and stay upright under snow, adding texture and movement.

Top grasses around a concrete pool

• Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’
  Vertical and structured—perfect for a modern style.

• Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese silver grass)
  Gives a “Nordic spa” vibe and stays beautiful until spring.

• Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
  Light texture and very cold-resistant.

Why they’re practical

They’re clean plants that don’t drop large amounts of leaves into the pool.

Easy, Clean Perennials: A Lush Look Without High Maintenance

Perennials are perfect for softening hard lines, bordering walkways, and adding color. But near a pool, it’s best to choose species that don’t drop too many petals or leaves and don’t attract excessive insects.

Top perennials for pools:

• Hostas
  Perfect for shaded areas, dense foliage, very low mess.

• Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
  Hardy, abundant flowering, and minimal care.

• Heuchera
  Colorful foliage that stays interesting even at the end of the season.

• Sedum (autumn stonecrop)
  Beautiful in fall and appreciated in winter for its dry flower heads.

Groundcovers: Clean, Practical, and Weed-Fighting

If you have tricky areas to maintain (slopes, tight borders, corners), groundcovers are your best friends. They reduce weeds and require very little watering once established.

Great options for Quebec:

• Creeping thyme
  Aromatic, lightly fragrant, and soft underfoot. Bonus: repels some insects.

• Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
  Thrives in shade and forms a dense carpet.

• Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
  Evergreen foliage and small spring flowers.

To avoid: highly invasive groundcovers near concrete joints or structural elements.

Potted Plants: The Flexible, Winter-Friendly Option

A concrete pool area benefits tremendously from container plants. They allow you to move the décor with the seasons, bring fragile species indoors for winter, and update the look without redesigning the entire space.

Perfect potted plants around a pool:

• Boxwood (Buxus) shaped in balls or low hedges
  Chic, boutique-hotel style.

• Japanese maple in a pot
  (If protected in winter) Adds a spectacular focal point in a sheltered corner.

• Dwarf conifers in pots
  Gorgeous even in winter—especially with holiday lights!

What to Avoid Near a Pool

Some plants are beautiful… but not pool-friendly.

Here are a few to avoid:

• Trees with fine or messy leaves
  (birch, poplar, silver maple) → In fall, you’ll have leaves everywhere, forcing your filter to work much harder.

• Trees with aggressive roots
  (willow, aspen, poplar) → They pose risks to structures and underground lines.

• Plants that attract large numbers of insects
  (very nectar-rich flowers in mass plantings) → Not ideal for comfort near the pool.

Four-Season Landscaping TipS

1. Keep clear zones around the pool
   In winter, you want safe circulation for access and snow removal.

2. Choose structured shapes
   Concrete has clean lines—evergreens, grasses, and graphic shrubs complement it well.

3. Plant at a reasonable distance from the pool
   To prevent leaves from ending up in the water.

4. Plan lighting and vegetation together
   Especially in winter: warm lighting + evergreens/ornamental grasses = magical atmosphere.

A Magical Year-Round Landscape

Landscaping around your precast concrete pool from Bayto Pools isn’t just about “adding greenery.” It’s about creating a complete, cohesive design that enhances your pool and stays beautiful all 12 months of the year.

By combining evergreens, four-season shrubs, ornamental grasses, low-maintenance perennials, practical groundcovers, and potted plants, you create an elegant, easy-to-maintain layout tailored to Quebec’s climate—and perfectly suited for a pool you can enjoy both summer and winter!