James Mercer of 'The Shins' landscaped pool is a masterclass in welcoming but secluded 'privacy planting' – gardening experts swear by the ingenious trick
Indie musician James Mercer's pool is bursting with greenery and florals for a striking, but tucked away paradise - it's perfect for families
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When it's done right, pool design can be an extension of the home. The pool area be a sanctuary, that gives your family extra space to relax and feels just as intentional and inviting as your interiors. James Mercer, lead musician in indie rock group The Shins, knows exactly what I mean.
The singer's pool landscaping idea, designed by Marisa Mercer Gardens, centers around an in-ground stone pool. On the edge, a gray planter contrasts the low height the water. Surrounding the pool, a variety of trees, bushes, and flowers create a 'green wall.' The plants surround the water, but it doesn't look overly boxed in or manicured. Instead, it feels equal parts wild and private.
These Felco pruning shears have hardened blades for effortless trimming in your yard, making light work of tough rose pruning jobs. They're essential in every kind of garden.
Named 'All Summer Beauty,' this Hydrangea is a compact, long-blooming mophead variety that produces big, bouncy flowers on 4 ft shrubs. It's the perfect way to bring an element of Stewart-approved charm into our gardens.
These beautiful little flowers are an easy way to brighten your garden. Plus they're perennials so you only need to plant them once.
To style the look in your own backyard, it's all about tall plants. Rutter recommends: 'If you have a pool, patio or terrace for that matter, using some of the best plants for privacy, such as hedging or large roses, hydrangeas or viburnums is a good idea to help frame the space. In this example, we also see a range of perennials planted under and alongside statement shrubs. Perennials can help to add pops of color during spring and summer - and who wouldn't want their garden to be full of red, pink, and yellow blooms?'
Flowers are just as important in the design as green plants. Rutter says: 'Knotweeds or persicaria can be seen here, with masses of tall pink flower spikes. As a gardener, I have long been a fan of the persicaria plant family, as they can generally be relied on for months of color with relatively little effort. Persicaria seeds can be found online at Amazon.'
Correctly designing a pool is the best way to make sure that you always have a private paradise at arms length.
