Let’s be honest, once you’ve indulged in a lavish hot tub, the idea of shelling out additional cash on landscaping might not be appealing (though, you might want to think about adding a few hot tub accessories to your collection).
Quality landscaping can seamlessly blend your hot tub into its environment, providing a sense of privacy and a welcoming atmosphere. However, this can come with a hefty price tag, especially if it includes hardscape elements such as overhead structures or stone walkways.
But don’t worry, there are cost-effective strategies available. By adhering to these suggestions, you can create a tranquil, spa-like sanctuary without breaking the bank – leaving the only soaking to be done in the comfort of your hot tub!
Mulching
Hardscaping can often be the priciest aspect of a hot tub setup, particularly when it incorporates pavers or natural stone.
To cut costs, consider using wood mulch as an alternative for your pathway. You can frequently find appealing bagged mulch at large retail stores for as little as $2 for a two-cubic-foot bag, especially during major summer holidays. Alternatively, keep an eye out for opened bags which are often sold at half price or even less.
Another cost-effective idea? Check with your local public works department. Many offer residents free wood chip mulch, sourced from trees that have been felled and chipped.
Carpeting
Adding a touch of carpet to your hot tub area can instantly make it feel more comfortable and inviting. It provides a more pleasant surface for your feet compared to mulch or stones, and it’s safer than bare pavers that can become slippery when wet.
While traditional green artificial turf remains a reliable choice that blends well with any surroundings and holds up well even when damp, modern outdoor carpets offer a wide range of colors and designs that allow you to truly customize your space. To keep your budget in check, consider searching for discounted remnants at carpet outlet stores.
Purchase Pre-Owned Items
Why splurge on brand-new items when you can cut costs with pre-owned ones? A variety of locations carry used hardscaping materials, such as thrift stores, church rummage sales, and garage sales.
Additionally, check out if your local community has resources for repurposed building supplies. For instance, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore offers discounted new and gently used home improvement materials donated by contractors and businesses. The proceeds from these sales are used to build homes for those who need them
Rapid Growing Plants
If you choose to encircle your hot tub with fast-growing plants, you’ll experience quick results, similar to the pace of a popular action film series. Some examples of these plants include bamboo, privet, forsythia, and even Jerusalem artichoke, a perennial sunflower that grows up to eight feet tall and produces edible tubers.
These swiftly growing plants offer immediate impact for your investment and are so robust they won’t require future enhancements. However, their vigorous growth can also make them somewhat unruly in your garden.
For plants like bamboo or Jerusalem artichoke, it’s advisable to limit their roots to prevent them from spreading too much. With privet or forsythia, be prepared to prune them more often compared to slower-growing shrubs.
Grasses
Ornamental grasses provide ample opportunities for landscaping around a hot tub. Smaller varieties blend well with annual bedding plants, while medium-sized grasses complement perennials and shrubs. The taller species of grasses, like Hardy pampas grass and giant miscanthus which can grow up to 12 feet, offer privacy and a soothing rustle as they sway in the wind.
Unlike other plants that often go on sale in garden centers during fall, ornamental grasses are typically not discounted as they are at their peak during this season. However, these grasses can be easily propagated by division, so you might consider sourcing divisions from a friend or fellow plant enthusiast
Evergreens Bring Lasting Serenity
For those who indulge in year-round hot tubbing, consider planting an evergreen hedge that not only provides privacy but also shields against chilly gusts. If aesthetics are your priority rather than protection, opting for smaller plants, like a five-gallon arborvitae instead of a 10-gallon one, can save you some bucks.
Arborvitae, juniper, and yew are cost-effective choices often used for hedges. Meanwhile, dwarf spruce and pine offer visual allure as standalone plants, although they are less likely to be discounted. Embrace these ideas to create a cozy outdoor retreat with your hot tub as the centerpiece.
Privacy Can Be Pretty
Rather than a stockade fence, choose plants to establish your personal spa space. They look more natural while adding a more welcoming ambiance. There’s no shortage of options, including shrubs like hydrangea, rhododendron, bottlebrush buckeye and rose of Sharon, a woody hibiscus. Or try rose mallow, a perennial hibiscus that dies back to the roots in cold climates but quickly rises again to reach four to five feet the following season.
For the best prices, visit the sale racks at big box stores in early to mid-summer or later in fall.
Annual Appeal
If you’re seeking an aesthetically pleasing, fragrant space that also offers some privacy – and all on a budget – then look no further than your local garden store’s seed rack. By simply purchasing a few seed packets of annual plants, preparing the soil, and planting, you can cultivate a cost-effective garden full of vibrant color.
Consider easy-to-grow annuals like zinnias, cleome, bachelor’s buttons, cosmos, sunflowers, tithonia, and celosia, which can be planted directly in the garden without the need for seed-starting supplies.
If you’d rather not deal with seeds, consider buying bedding annuals from your local supermarket or hardware store during their early to midsummer sale periods. Since plant selling isn’t their primary business, they are often ready to clear out their inventory around this time.
Take into Account Overhead Elements
Don’t forget to consider what’s above your hot tub. A pergola with thick beams can provide a comforting sense of enclosure without feeling restrictive. Add some lattice and climbing vines for extra shade and a screen from overlooking windows.
You can often find leftover lattice sheets secondhand on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. A used pergola might be less common, and new ones aren’t frequently on sale. However, you could replace it with a small to medium-sized tree, such as a redbud, dogwood, or crimson maple, for overhead coverage.
A Great Time for Vines
Fast-growing vines are excellent for quick coverage. You can start annual vines like morning glory with an affordable pack of seeds, providing beauty and coverage within the same growing season.
Perennial vines, while more expensive, are often heavily discounted at the end of the season. They only need to be purchased once and generally cover a larger area than annual vines. A wisteria, for example, can reach 30 feet and cover a large pergola.
Note of Caution: Large vines like wisteria require sturdy structures for support. Avoid trying to grow them on a fragile section of thin lattice