What should I plant around my pool?

Question:I want to create a bit of a tropical feel around my pool, and I am in Phoenix so it should be easy, but does anyone have any great ideas?
I have a big pool and a lot of planting space.

Answers:
One of the best plants I have here around my PHX pool is natal plum- it grows low in shiny dark green clumps with tiny white flowers (lovely smell) and gradually gets bigger- hardly any mess at all. Lantanas also don't make much mess -also low and bright flowers but no smell. Citrus trees are not messy like many "native trees" and provide food too, they shed some leaves, but not a lot like ficus and no seed pods like many others. I hope this helps.