Best Landscaping to Have Around a Pool in Knoxville, Tennessee
If you've just installed a pool or you're planning one, the landscaping around it will make or break the final look. Knoxville Tennessee pool landscaping isn't the same as landscaping in Phoenix or Orlando. Our humidity, clay-heavy soil, and USDA Hardiness Zone 7a climate call for a different playbook, and that's exactly what we cover below.
At Top Knox Pools, we've designed and built pools across Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville, Oak Ridge, and Sevierville for over a decade. We don't just pour concrete and walk away we help homeowners plan the landscaping that surrounds the pool, because a pool without the right plants, decking, and privacy features never looks finished. This guide shares what we've learned firsthand about what actually works here in East Tennessee.
Why Pool Landscaping Looks Different in Knoxville
Knoxville sits in a humid subtropical climate with hot, sticky summers and mild winters that still dip below freezing a handful of nights a year. That combination affects three things every pool owner needs to plan around:
Humidity and mold risk — Dense shade plants near the water can trap moisture and encourage algae and mildew on decking.
Clay soil drainage — Much of Knox County sits on red clay, which holds water and can drown root systems if beds aren't graded properly.
Pollen and leaf litter — Knoxville's tree canopy is beautiful, but the wrong species dropping seed pods or sap into your pool creates a maintenance headache all season long.
According to the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Extension, Knoxville falls in Zone 7a, meaning plant selections should tolerate winter lows around 0–5°F while thriving in 90°F, high-humidity summers. That single fact eliminates a lot of the "tropical pool landscaping" inspiration photos you'll find on Pinterest — most of those plants won't survive a Knoxville winter.
Our Approach at Top Knox Pools
We had a client in West Knoxville a few years back who tried to recreate a Florida-style pool oasis with banana trees and elephant ears planted directly against the coping. By the second winter, most of it was dead, and the root systems had started lifting the pool deck. We rebuilt the beds using cold-hardy ornamental grasses and a French drain system — and the space has held up beautifully ever since.
That project shaped how we now approach every backyard: design for the climate first, aesthetics second. Get that order backwards and you'll be replanting every spring.
Want to see how we've handled this on past builds? Check out our Custom Pool Design portfolio or browse our Outdoor Living Services page for full backyard transformations.
Best Plants for Pool Landscaping in Knoxville, TN
Ornamental Grasses
Grasses move with the wind, don't drop messy debris, and handle both drought and clay soil well.
Dwarf Fountain Grass — compact, soft texture, thrives in full sun
Muhly Grass — pink autumn plumes, extremely drought-tolerant once established
Blue Fescue — low-growing border option that won't overhang the pool edge
Hardy "Tropical-Look" Plants
You can still get a resort feel without a tropical climate.
Hardy Hibiscus — large blooms, dies back in winter but returns reliably in Zone 7a
Yucca — architectural, drought-resistant, and low litter
Dwarf Crape Myrtle — blooms all summer and tolerates Knoxville heat and humidity
Ground Cover and Low Borders
Keep these at least 3–4 feet from the coping to reduce root intrusion and debris.
Creeping Thyme — walkable, fragrant, low maintenance
Liriope (Lily Turf) — evergreen border that handles part shade
Sedum — succulent-style ground cover that tolerates heat reflected off pool decking
Hardscape and Design Elements That Hold Up in East Tennessee
Plants are only half the equation. The materials around your pool matter just as much for both looks and longevity.
Decking Materials
Travertine pavers stay cooler underfoot in summer and resist Knoxville's freeze-thaw cycles better than poured concrete.
Stamped concrete is budget-friendly but needs a quality sealant to survive our winter freeze-thaw pattern.
Composite decking works well for raised pool areas and resists mold better than untreated wood.
Privacy and Shade Features
Pergolas with climbing vines like clematis (cold-hardy, non-invasive) add shade without heavy leaf drop.
Cedar privacy screens hold up to humidity far better than untreated pine.
Fire features extend usability of the space into Knoxville's cooler shoulder seasons.
Low-Maintenance, Drought-Tolerant Landscaping for Busy Homeowners
Most homeowners tell us the same thing: they want a backyard that looks great without a full-time gardening commitment. Here's what we recommend for a lower-maintenance pool landscape in Knoxville:
Group plants by water needs (hydrozoning) so you're not overwatering drought-tolerant species
Use drip irrigation instead of overhead sprinklers to keep water off pool equipment and decking
Choose native or regionally adapted species — they require less fertilizer and fewer pesticide treatments
Add 2–3 inches of mulch in beds to reduce weeding and water evaporation
Skip messy fruit-bearing or heavy-pollen trees (Bradford pear, sweetgum) near the pool
The EPA WaterSense program notes that proper plant selection and irrigation design can cut outdoor water use by 20–50% — a meaningful savings for pool owners already managing water levels and evaporation.
Common Pool Landscaping Mistakes We See in Knoxville Yards
Planting trees too close to the pool — root systems can crack decking and coping within 5–7 years
Ignoring drainage grading — clay soil needs beds sloped away from the pool, not toward it
Overplanting for "instant" fullness — mature plants crowd walkways and increase pruning costs
Choosing high-litter species — leaves and seed pods increase filter and skimmer maintenance
Skipping a maintenance plan — even low-maintenance landscaping needs a seasonal pruning and mulch schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best landscaping to plant around a pool in Knoxville, TN? Drought-tolerant, low-litter plants like ornamental grasses, hardy hibiscus, and yucca perform best, since they tolerate Knoxville's clay soil, summer humidity, and winter freezes without dropping debris into the water.
How far should plants be from a pool's edge? Most landscape designers recommend keeping larger shrubs and trees at least 5–10 feet from the coping to prevent root damage and reduce leaf litter in the pool.
Do I need a professional for pool landscaping in Knoxville? While simple planting can be DIY, grading, drainage, and hardscape integration around a pool typically require a licensed contractor to avoid drainage failures and code issues — something our team at Top Knox Pools handles as part of every build.
Serving Knoxville and the Surrounding East Tennessee Area
Top Knox Pools proudly designs and installs custom pools and complementary landscaping throughout Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, and the greater Knox County area. Whether you're planning a brand-new pool build or want to refresh the landscaping around an existing one, our team understands the specific soil, climate, and drainage challenges unique to this region because we've been solving them here for years.
Ready to Transform Your Backyard?
The right landscaping doesn't just make your pool look better it protects your investment, cuts down on maintenance, and makes your backyard usable for years to come. Whether you're starting from scratch or renovating an existing space, getting the plant selection and hardscape design right the first time saves you money down the road.
Call Top Knox Pools today at (865) 335-8047 to schedule your free consultation, or visit our Free Consultation page to get started. Let's build a backyard that fits Knoxville's climate and your lifestyle.
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