On St. Patrick’s Day, green is the name of the game. We deck ourselves out in green tees, glasses, and just about anything else to avoid getting pinched. When it comes to our pools, however, green water is the last thing you want to see!

If your water unexpectedly takes on a green hue, you can call your pool service crew to see what might be the culprit (and how to fix it!). If you want to dress up your pool’s surroundings in green, that’s another story! Take a look at today’s blog to see our favorite ways to complement your pool’s clear blue water with natural green features, for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.

Create a grass deck

Looking for a softer alternative to traditional pool decks? Try one made of grass!

One growing trend is to let your lawn’s grass grow all the way up toward the edge of your pool, leaving a foot or so of stone at the water’s border. This may not be an option for everyone, but it’s a great choice for smaller yards where you want to really maximize how much grass (and rich green color) you can squeeze into one space. It’s also a unique way to increase the natural look of your pool area, making your pool seem more like a pond or lake than a manmade structure.

Let your favorite plants “walk” on water

Don’t have lots of room on your pool’s border for grass or plant life? Put them onto the water itself! You can use “floating” planters that give off a seamless, airy look to accomplish this effect and integrate color into your pool design.

Design an oasis of shade

For a cool place to retreat to at the end of the day, a pool covered in natural shade is a great option. Broad-leafed plants and small palms can provide this without adding more tree litter to your pool cleanup needs. You can surround your pool with them, or turn one corner of your pool into a comfy spot filled with shade.

Surround your space with a fence of green

White picket fences aren’t the only way to surround your pool and backyard space! While a dedicated pool enclosure or safety fence can help keep your pool space safe, it can be helpful to add shrubbery around the perimeter of your pool, too, for a colorful, natural way to mark off your space.

Dress up your patio with green accents

You can always add green color to your pool space—even if you don’t have lots of grass or plant life to work with. Green pillows and seat cushions can provide a comfy place for family and friends to sit, and help to mesh your entertaining space with the nature that surrounds it.

What’s your favorite way to “greenify” your pool’s surroundings? Share your own ideas with us below, and have a happy St. Patrick’s Day!