Marigolds are a beautiful, yet underrated, flower. These sunshiney blooms are a brightening addition to any garden, where they add a touch of elevated warmth. If you need any more proof, look no further than Olivia Newton-John's Malibu, California garden from the 1970s.
An archival image from 1976 shows the Grease actress posing by her poolside with her three dogs, surrounded by some of the best pool planting ideas we've ever seen. Her plants sprout from beds, planters, and raised stone beds in the background. Marigolds (seeds available at Amazon) and zinnias feature prominently. It feels like a celebration of florals that dominates her pool design.
To get to the bottom of how to recreate Olivia Newton-John's pool landscaping, I spoke with our resident master gardener at Homes & Gardens, Rachel Bull. Rachel walked me through the plants in Olivia's space, and explained why marigolds are her top pick for you to plant this spring. You'll also find my curation of products to emulate Olivia Newton-John's style below. Let's dive in.
Though the untrained eye may not be able to recognize the exact flowers in Olivia's bed, experts immediately see Olivia's space as a masterclass in how to grow marigolds. Rachel explains: 'Even though this beautiful image is in black and white, I can see there are clusters of marigolds and zinnias planted around the edge of the pool, which is not insignificant.'
Recreate Olivia Newton-John's Garden at Home
There is nothing more classic than a barrel planter, and Olivia Newton-John's pool is surrounded by them. They are ideal if you want to elevate a more relaxed pool-side scheme.
Comprising 250 Zinnia seeds, this offers all we need to fill our yards with some Olivia-inspired vibrancy. This beautiful garden flower is excellent for cutting and attracting bees, butterflies, and birds.
Formulated to produce big blooms and vibrant colors, this flower food can be used on any blooming plant. Feed plants this special formulation every 7 to 14 days before and during bud-set and bloom.
Potted marigolds make it easy to bring some orange brightness into your garden. The color is perfect for placement beside a bright blue pool, whilst the lazy petals add a beautiful textural touch.
This plush, woven armchair is a modern take on the one we see Olivia Newton-John sitting in in this archival image. It has a thick and cozy seat pad, perfect for afternoons in the garden.
All plants look prettier with natural stone next to them, and this brick fireplace is shaped similarly to the planters Olivia Newton-John uses for her trees. The gas capabilities mean it's exceedingly easy to use.
In addition to their obvious aesthetic benefits, Rachel asserts that marigolds, like Olivia Newton-John's, are some of the best flowers to plant for spring. She explains: 'They might not look like it, but marigolds are my secret superhero flower in the garden. They are a drought-tolerant plant, which is perfect to border a pool that will be in the hottest part of a yard. They are also an incredible pest repellent, meaning not only will they brighten up your poolside with their vibrant, summery tones, their strong scent will also help to repel mosquitoes. In my experience, all they need is a little deadheading, and they will do all the hard work for you all summer long.'
Though April is probably the earliest you'll want to plant these gorgeous flowers, it's never to early to start thinking about your Spring garden. Preparing your garden now for Spring ensures that by the time you get your seeds in the mail, everything will be ready to go.
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