You’re standing in your backyard somewhere near White Bear Lake or Wayzata, staring at that pool surrounded by bare concrete and a couple of scraggly shrubs. It works. But it doesn’t feel like anything special. Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. A lot of Twin Cities homeowners have beautiful pools that just aren’t living up to their full potential. With the right pool landscaping ideas, your Minneapolis–St. Paul backyard can go from basic to genuinely stunning before summer really kicks in.
Start With the Right Plants
Choosing plants around a pool sounds simple, but Minnesota’s climate makes it a little tricky. You want plants that look great in July, won’t drop a ton of debris into the water, and can handle a hard freeze come November.
Think ornamental grasses, low-maintenance perennials, and native shrubs that are built for our seasons. Dwarf arborvitae work great as a natural privacy screen without creating a leaf mess in your pool every weekend.
Add Layers With Hardscaping
The concrete apron around your pool is just the beginning. Paver patios, natural stone borders, and decorative retaining walls create a layered look that makes your pool feel like a resort destination.
What if you added a paver patio off to the side for a lounge area? Or a low stone wall that doubles as extra seating when you’re hosting neighbors? These are the details that make a space feel designed, not just functional.
LCI Landscapes has been building these kinds of custom poolside spaces in the Twin Cities metro since 2001. We know what holds up through a Minnesota winter and what looks amazing when the sun comes out in June.
Don’t Forget Sound and Lighting
Here’s something most people overlook: audio and lighting can completely change how you experience your backyard after dark.
Landscape lighting tucked along pathways and around pool edges keeps things safe and adds a serious atmosphere. Outdoor speakers built into the surrounding plantings mean you’re not dragging a Bluetooth speaker outside every time you want music. The whole space becomes an experience, not just a place to swim.
Can you imagine a warm August evening near Minnetonka, the sun going down, lights reflecting off the water, and your favorite playlist filling the air? That’s what a well-planned poolscape actually delivers.
Think About Privacy and Flow
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is how to create some separation between the pool area and the rest of the yard. Natural privacy screens using taller grasses, columnar trees, or a pergola with climbing vines can block the neighbor’s view without making your yard feel boxed in.
It’s also worth thinking about traffic flow. Where do people walk from the house to the pool? A well-placed stepping stone path through planting beds ties everything together and keeps muddy footprints out of your water.
Make It Work for Minnesota
Our growing season is short, which makes every design decision count more here than almost anywhere else. You want something that looks great from Memorial Day straight through Labor Day, with minimal maintenance in between.
That’s where working with a local team who actually knows Twin Cities soil, sun angles, and weather patterns makes a real difference. LCI Landscapes uses 3D design technology so you can literally see what your finished pool landscaping will look like before any work begins.
Ready to stop staring at bare concrete? Call LCI Landscapes at (651) 430-3606 to schedule your free consultation. Your backyard has a lot more potential than you think.