Hot Tub Landscaping Tips for the Home

by Sep 13, 2011

hot tub landscaping

If you’re installing (or will be installing) a hot tub, you’ll want to do some additional landscaping to add some curb appeal and make your hot tub look like the heavenly spot that it is. It isn’t difficult, but there are a few things you’ll want to consider before getting started.

Plan Everything

Before you head to the garden store, take some time to draw out your space and plan what you’d like to do with the space. This way, you’ll have a chance to identify problem areas, price out your project, and make a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to get it all done. You can get everything you need in one trip, and no matter what you do first, you’ll always know what is supposed to go where.

Create Some Privacy

Landscaping around your Hot Tub

The last thing you want while you’re enjoying your hot tub is a whole group of strangers gawking at you. So, you’ll need to build some sort of fence or privacy guard. You can build one out of wood or even metal. You may even want to dress it up with climbing or flowering plants. This is a great way to tie in your hot tub with the exterior of the house and the rest of the property. However, you can also grow your own privacy wall.

Bamboo and other tall plants are an excellent way to enjoy your privacy, without having to construct a large wooden or metal structure. The only thing you’ll need to be aware of is that plants will drop leaves, bugs, and other unwanted things into your hot tub, so make sure there’s plenty of space between them and the tub.

A Great View

If you want your time in the hot tub to be heavenly, it will need to look like it — your own piece of heaven — but how you accomplish that is up to you. Tropical plants, trees, and bushes are a great start. Lavender, lilies, orchids, and other flowering plants will set off the green of the tropical forests perfectly and give the air a light scent. Can’t grow these types of plants in your area? No problem! Grow everything in containers.

You’ll be able to move and rearrange, and bring them inside during the winter.

Your garden will also need a focal point. Of course, you can do this with trees and flowers, but you can do many other things with it as well. A water fountain, waterfall, or even water gardens can be filled with plants, fish, rocks, and interesting structures that will add interest to your backyard.

A Comfortable Surrounding

Crushed rock, wood chips, and grass might look nice around the hot tub, but they’re not so nice on your feet or in your hot tub, so you’ll need to plan the patios, decks, and walkways to your new oasis carefully.
If you need to install a pathway or ground level patio, use paving stones or something that is easy on your feet and won’t track into the hot tub. Want to make a fun or interesting shape? Use your garden hose to mark out the shape of the path or patio and use it as a guide to remove the sod.

If your hot tub is on a deck, turn it into party central! Add an area for a patio table and chairs and a spot for the barbeque! You might even want to add a dressing screen and create a private spot for people to change or hang their clothing.

Landscaping around your hot tub is easy. You’ll just need to remember to plan things carefully, and most importantly, have fun with it! Before you know it, your backyard will become your favorite place in the world and you’ll be calling into work sick, just so you can enjoy it.