... but my Purple wave petunias went CRAZY last year out by our pool AND have come back again this year -- STARTING OUT just as big!!! I'm afraid I may have a monster on my hands! LOL!
Lantana grew very well, too, but has not come back yet this year. They were supposed to be perennial -- guess I'll be taking the dead stalks back to Lowes for a swap out (if I can find the tags/receipts to be sure they were sold as perennials.....)
A tall sun loving shrub is Althea. We've got them in white, purple and pink. As you can tell, I like the flowering varieties of just about everything!
Marigolds have done very well as our annual out there. Plus, they can help with the mosquitoes. (They smell kind of like citronella.)
The Rhododendrons did NOT do well out there. (Although the tag said this particular variety could stand the sun.)
Good Luck and enjoy your pool!