Award-Winning Swimming Pool Landscape in St. Paul

National Award Winner for Excellence in Landscape Design

This project took home an award for Excellence in Landscape Design from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) in 2015. This project is also a 2015 North Central Region CotY (Contractor of the Year) award winner and a 2015 National Award Winner, from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI National). Both of the NARI awards were in the Outdoor Living category.

Before and After

The yard is adjacent to a wetland area. Unfortunately, the swimming pool was originally dug too deep resulting in groundwater seepage. Plus, runoff from the house and yard had a tendency to puddle in the back yard. A combination of re-grading, redirecting the runoff from the house into drain tile, and a deco-drain in the pool deck solved the drainage issues. The new pool is a shallow lap pool instead of a traditional diving pool. A concrete base under the pool deck minimizes the chance of settling.

In their newly-renovated back yard, the homeowners swim in the pool and easily access the hot tub while enjoying the surrounding gardens. The hot tub (on a poured concreted base) is tucked away at the base of the deck stairs.

Landscape Design Details

Borrowed views… the wetlands. This area is teeming with wildlife. It’s beautiful, even mesmerizing. There is never a dull moment and the homeowners especially enjoy watching the drama.

Perennial gardens soften the aluminum fence and provide a colorful transition between the back yard and nature. There are additional landscaping plantings on both sides of the yard for privacy.

New York (NY) Bluestone dominates the pool deck with a paver inlay on the sunnier side of the pool. Anchor pavers also accent the outdoor living space under the deck.

Low voltage lighting illuminates Hostas, Astilbe, Arborvitae, Hydrangea, Daisies in the gardens. The irrigation system was customized for sod and garden areas. Multiple drip zones allow for the right amount of water for sunny vs. shady garden areas. The homeowners carried each boulder to the back yard for edging. It was re-used along the renovated backyard perennial gardens.

Landscape Materials Were Saved and Repurposed

• Saved some of the homeowners’ garden plants (sentimental reasons) and several key trees.
• Saved the homeowners’ garden fountain.
• Key trees were treated prior to construction to minimize the stress.
• The pool equipment and hot tub were reused.