Question
Hi,
I am planning to put in a bed around my pavers that go around my pool.  I would like it to provide some privacy and for it to be low maintainance.  I do not really enjoy gardening and would rather be in the pool than gardening.  I like evergreens and plants that stay green year round.  I don't like the bare twig and stick look during the fall and winter.  Also, I want to make sure that I am not planting anything that will grow to big and up root my pavers. Some plants that I have seen neighbors plant in their borders that I like are nandina bushes (I hope I am spelling it correctly) and I believe the other one is called a scotch broom.  I really like that one because it looks like an ornamental grass and flowers a pretty pink flower during the spring.   My friend planted hers around her hot tub and they look great.  The tag said it grows 4 feet by 4 feet, which I think would be an ideal size.  I was also considering some dwarf alberta spruces around the corner edge.  So, I need to know if I am on the right track and if these would be good to put around a pool.  Many web sites that I have checked out don't recomend plants with needles because they can fall in the pool, but the broome and the alberta spruces, I don't remember seeing needles around them.  The plants would be approximately 6-8 feet from the pool.  We are filling the bed with mulch because I want to be able to plant some annuals as a border for color and flower effect. My husband is putting a border with a lip around it to keep mulch off the pavers and out of the pool.   If you have any other advice for plants that look tropical, but stay green year round in the southern Pennsylvania area, I would greatly appreciate any that you have.  
Thanks,
Teri

Answer
First spruce needles won't be a problem, the tree is a dwarf.
Second there are many small evergreens but some don't cope well with treated pool water being splashed on them. Look at holly varieties (Ilex spp.), some evergreen viburnums, Acuba, camellia sasanqua, Ligustrum, Otto Luyken Laurel, schip laurel, cleyera and various yews. Acuba, Laurel, Camellia look a little more southern or tropical than some.
As for the other plants you mentioned, if you see them doing well in a similar situation and you like them, then they should be fine.

Good Luck

Sean J Murphy, LA
Planning and Landscape Architecture Department
SouthEastern Engineering, INC
Civil & Transportation Engineering, Land Surveying, Planning and Landscape Architecture

www.seengineering.com