Real-Life Communication
Good communication skills are key to the pool and spa business.
"Those PR [public relations] skills are important," says Fern Boldt, who works
at her family's pool shop. "You have to find out what your customers want,
and if you don't then those customers will go elsewhere."
You've just
finished filling a brand new pool at the Downey residence. They're pleased
with the kidney-shaped swimming pool. It looks splendid in their large backyard,
which overlooks the city.
"This is a tremendous spot," you say to Mrs.
Downey. She agrees and says that she would like to do some landscaping around
the new pool. You perk up, thinking there might be a chance for more work.
Mrs.
Downey tells you that she wants to grow some poolside plants. Because you're
a pool specialist, you'll be able to help her pick out a few that will complement
the area around the water.
Using the guide below, help Mrs. Downey
pick out some plants. She lives in climate zone four. Zone one is the coldest
and four is the warmest.
These are the types of plants that Mrs. Downey
would like to grow:
- An evergreen vine that grows well on walls, arbors and eaves
- A few slow-growing evergreen ground covers that she can use for borders,
her rock garden, and for controlling erosion
- An evergreen tree that is litter-free and can withstand splashing
- A slow-growing deciduous ground cover that will follow the contours of
the ground
- A deciduous tree that has a strong vertical effect and attractive flowers
In this chart, E = evergreen, D = deciduous, 1-4 represents the climate
zone.
Ground Covers
| Name of plant | - | Remarks |
| Agapanthus | E4 | Good for containers |
| Cerastium | E1-4 | Perennial, cascades in rock gardens, patterns,
fillers, borders |
| Cotoneaster | D1-4 | Slow growing, follows contours of ground, rocks |
| Dianthus | D1-4 | Perennial, use for borders and rock gardens |
| Helianthemum | E2-4 | Rambles in rock gardens, on slopes |
| Juniperus | E1-4 | Slow growing, use for borders, rock gardens, controls
erosion |
| Santolina | E3,4 | Attractive foliage, use on banks |
| Vinca | E1-4 | Invasive, good on rough slopes |
Vines
| Name of plant | - | Remarks |
| Antigonon | E4 | Fast growing; tolerates heat; needs winter protection |
| Cissus | E4 | Use trellises, walls, banks |
| Clematis | D1-4 | Attractive flowers, climbs trellises |
| Hedera | E2-4 | Plant near walls, fences, trellises |
| Hydrangea | D1-3 | Flowering vine for shade |
| Solandria | E4 | Grows well on walls, arbors and eaves |
| Wisteria | D1-4 | Adaptable, attractive flowers |
Trees
| Name of tree | - | Remarks |
| Acer | D1-3 | Low spreading maple |
| Cordyline | E4 | Good for tropical backgrounds |
| Ensete | E3, 4 | Perennial palm-like appearance |
| Eucalyptus | E3,4 | Good for shade, windbreaks |
| Livistona | E4 | Oriental appearance, slow growing |
| Magnolia | D1-4 | Strong vertical effect, attractive flower |
| Pinus | E4 | Use for tropical effect |
| Strelitzia | E4 | Litter-free, withstands splashing |
Gather together a report for Mrs. Downey on what type of plants
she should use around her new pool.