As a professional landscaper, the owner of this outdoor living area knows a thing or two about creating the ultimate garden. Twelve years ago, the owner and his wife added the large pool behind their Aliquippa home.
They outlined the property with vinyl fencing and then landscaped around it to create a tropical-inspired setting.
Today, the back yard encompasses the inviting pool surrounded by a wide variety of low-maintenance plants, trees and shrubs. The homeowner incorporates seasonal color thanks to annuals and perennials, while a variety of evergreens provide the gold and green tones. The homeowner also installed Knock Out roses. “They are the latest craze, we’ve planted so many of them,” he says. “They’re popular due to their colorful blooms and they don’t require a lot of maintenance.”
To create the tropical theme, the homeowner ships in Robellini palm trees and hibiscus bushes each year. “They arrive in May and I can keep them going until the end of November,” he says. “A lot of people are afraid to plant tropical plants in our area, but they actually grow quite well.”
Low voltage outdoor lighting and fiber optic lights in the pool create a welcoming atmosphere in the evening.
Whimsical concrete statues, spray painted bronze, are scattered throughout the flowerbeds.
The entire back yard is connected to an irrigation system so the gardens are always watered. The owner even ran the irrigation tubes through the awning of the deck so that the hanging baskets are watered on a regular basis. “We spend a lot of time out here,” says the homeowner. “So we wanted to create a private retreat behind our home that encourages family and friends to relax and stay a while.”