What is it that really makes landscaping around the area of a hot tub so different from everyday landscaping? The hot tub may be raised, and you could just add a bed of mulch, but that will make the area of your hot tub look just as cheap as the cost of your landscaping will be.

Ideas for landscaping around hot tubs don’t have to be complicated to look nice. The first option is to simply purchase some nice looking planters or pots and some of your favorite shrubs and flowers to surround the hot tub. I like to take two larger pots and place one on each side of the steps. Then I plant two narrow finely manicured trees that will never grow out of the pot or become too tall. This frames the entrance to your hot tub making it inviting and beautiful.

When creating your dream retreat, you first need to choose the best location for your hot tub. Ease of access, view and privacy will be important concerns. To more easily enjoy your spa in cold weather, place it near the house. A pathway with lighting will make night use easier and more enjoyable.

Seclusion can be a real plus in your hot tub landscaping design. A fence or wall, a gazebo or tall dense plants can provide privacy. To also add protection from weather, an enclosure with a roof will help keep out rain and hot sun. Be sure to consider how the seasons will affect your view and privacy when using trees or plants as an enclosure. And avoid placing large plants near the hot tub so as not to add to the cleaning.

The very best approach would be to integrate landscaping designs for appearance with what I personally feel are highly desirable landscaping ideas for privacy. One such an arrangement could involve putting up a screened-in gazebo, which will highlight your hot tub and also make it usable when it’s rainy out or when the insects are swarming. Surround the hot tub by attaching some simple window planters filled with beautiful blossoms. And if gardening really isn’t your thing, you can always use silk flowers which will require very little care.

Ideas for landscaping around hot tubs are plentiful, so I can’t list them all, but one of my favorites is an Asian-inspired backyard hot tub. Building a pergola creates a pattern of shade and sun and develops the Asian look. Another idea is to build permanent cedar planters around the tub. Beautiful plants and trees can be put in these planters, as long as they fit your local climate. This trick gives a sense of permanency and makes it look as if your hot tub is built-in.

The ultimate landscaped hot tub would be an in ground hot tub next to an in ground swimming pool. A nice compliment to the beauty of the hot tub and pool would be with a little tropical jungle. Again just take some attractive flowerpots and place them in two clusters of 3 because odd numbers always look better. If you use three different sizes for each cluster this will create a terraced look. Using hibiscus flowers, a small palm bush that won’t grow too large and some ivy that will naturally flow down the pots creating a tropical area.

There are so many ideas for landscaping around hot tubs that this only touches on the many possibilities. However whenever landscaping around a hot tub you must remember to still allow for the drain of the hot tub to be open. You wouldn’t want to flood all your lovely landscaping while refilling the hot tub. Remember that you can be as creative as you want. Make it your own backyard oasis.