Transform Your Suffolk County Pool Area with Native Plants That Laugh at Chlorine and Drought
Creating a stunning poolside oasis in Suffolk County requires more than just selecting beautiful plants—it demands choosing species that can withstand the unique challenges of chlorinated splash zones while thriving in Long Island’s coastal climate. Chlorinated pool water creates unique challenges for nearby plants due to salt accumulation and chemical exposure, but with the right native plant selection, homeowners can enjoy both beauty and resilience in their outdoor spaces.
Understanding the Poolside Challenge
Suffolk County’s coastal environment presents a perfect storm of challenging conditions for poolside landscaping. Chlorine can be harmful to plants if applied directly or through excessive splashing, with high chlorine levels damaging plants, especially sensitive species and other delicate tissues. Additionally, soil conditions on Long Island can be primarily dry and sandy, with wind conditions that can at times be severe and salty.
Salt tolerant plants would be good ones to plant by the pool, with several gardening sources suggesting that plants with waxy leaves would probably be more resistant to chlorine in the splashed water from the pool. This makes native species particularly valuable, as they’ve evolved to handle Long Island’s unique environmental stresses.
Top Native Grasses for Poolside Excellence
Native grasses form the backbone of successful poolside landscaping in Suffolk County. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) are excellent choices, with seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) as a complementary wildflower.
Little Bluestem stands out as a champion for poolside areas. This ornamental grass has silvery-blue blades that turn reddish-bronze in fall and is drought-tolerant and perfect for sunny, well-drained sites. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for areas close to pool decking.
Switchgrass offers dramatic height and movement. Switchgrass is a tall, clump-forming grass with airy flower heads that’s great for erosion control and adds movement to your garden. Switch grass tolerates salt spray exceptionally well while providing habitat for coastal birds, growing 4-6 feet tall and turning golden bronze in autumn.
Flowering Native Perennials That Thrive
Seaside Goldenrod deserves special recognition for poolside plantings. This salt-tolerant plant is perfect for coastal gardens, with golden-yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, providing nectar when many other plants have finished blooming. Seaside goldenrod is easy to grow in full sun or light shade, will grow in ordinary soil but also on sand dunes, and is quite drought-resistant.
For homeowners seeking professional poolside landscaping suffolk county services, working with experienced contractors ensures proper plant selection and installation techniques that maximize both beauty and plant survival in these challenging conditions.
Strategic Planting Considerations
The most successful poolside gardens incorporate layered plantings with progressively more sensitive species placed at increasing distances from water features, creating buffer zones between your swimming pool and flowering plants to help minimize direct chemical contact.
Plants that are “pool-friendly” need to be able to survive and thrive in semi-to-full sunlight, be wind tolerant due to the typical exposed nature of pool decks, as well as be able to hold up to the occasional chlorine or salt exposure from splashing.
Additional Native Options for Suffolk County
Beyond grasses and goldenrod, Suffolk County offers several other native species that excel in poolside environments:
- Pitch Pine: If you live near Long Island’s Pine Barrens, pitch pines are tough trees that can survive in sandy, nutrient-poor soils and even recover from wildfires
- Red Maple: Known for its bright red flowers in early spring and vibrant foliage in autumn, the red maple is a versatile tree that thrives in both wet and dry soils
- Native Sedges: Grasses and sedges are often overlooked, but they’re crucial for soil health and provide habitat for insects and birds
Working with Suffolk County Professionals
Stone Escapes LI understands the unique challenges of Suffolk County landscaping. They offer stonework, flatwork, driveway paving, and patio installation throughout all of Long Island, taking pride in their ability to give clients unique outdoor living spaces and landscape designs. Stone Escapes is a masonry company in Long Island, NY that services Suffolk County, Nassau County, Southampton and East Hampton, providing residential and commercial exterior renovation services throughout Long Island.
As a family owned masonry company on Long Island, they offer personalized service and communication with their clients, with quality service being not only their guarantee, but their priority.
Long-term Benefits of Native Plant Selection
Native plants are highly recommended because they are uniquely adapted to local weather fluctuations, require little or no fertilizer, are excellent food sources for pollinators, and provide habitat for birds, insects, and butterflies. Once established, their deep roots increase the water-holding capacity of the soil, hold it together, and prevent erosion.
By choosing drought-resistant native species for your Suffolk County poolside landscaping, you’re investing in a sustainable, low-maintenance solution that celebrates Long Island’s natural heritage while creating a stunning backdrop for your outdoor entertainment space. These plants not only survive but thrive in the challenging conditions around pools, offering year-round beauty with minimal intervention.