Question by Rachel C.
We have planted flax lily and golden cane palm in the garden beds around our pool. Can we put pebbles over the soil to stop it going into the pool? Or will it stunt growth/affect the plant?
Sarah's answer
Hi Rachel,
That planting combination should look lovely beside your pool. Mulch is always a great idea as it keeps moisture in and keeps weeds down. Pebbles are another option that are, after the initial outlay, low maintenance and will look amazing. However, it is important to bear in mind that pebbles can heat up and can cause the soil to dry out, so you will need to pay special attention to irrigation.
Another downside to pebbles is that debris will eventually blow into your pebbles and become a place for weeds to grow. Make sure you don’t select a pebble that will create an alkaline environment like limestone pebbles as plants prefer it slightly acidic and remember that if you ever change your mind, they can be difficult to remove. None of these things are a deal breaker though and pebbles will enhance your garden and keep the soil from your pool. Whatever your choice, avoid placing it directly around the plants as this can harm them.
Cheers Sarah
