There is a post on the New to Gardening forum about something called Commelena...Moses in a Boat. It's very invasive....will seed everywhere if you put it in a garden, but grows fast, is very showy ...purple leaves and pink of blue flowers.....and would be prefect for urns around a pool.
Linda C

I have hostas all around my pool and so far so good. I planted them as bare root this spring and they are doing really well. My pool is filled with children constantly and they splash alot, the hostas don't seem to miss a beat.

Pool water shouldn't bother most plants, unless they're particularly sensitive. I wouldn't put just-shocked pool water on a plant, but then I wouldn't be swimming (or allowing my child to go swimming) in just-shocked pool water either! One thing to consider, though, is whether your pH levels are out of whack.

Also, nasturtiums seem to do better with drier conditions and not a whole lot of heat -- if the planters are on a concrete deck, in full sun, with additional reflected heat from the water, it could just be too much for them heat-wise. (I'm the same zone as you are, and the concrete around our pool can get SCORCHING hot.)

Rather than looking for a chlorine-tolerant plant, it might be better to look for a heat-tolerant plant that likes lots of water. (Trailing petunias, for example?)

I would be looking at a plant that doesn't drop much "stuff"...no petals, flower heads etc.
Linda C

portaluca or moss rose is care free and will reseed itself in your pots every year.

I agree with Dieter. I planted portulaca near the pool and it's doing very well. I also planted verbena. Both like dry conditions. Plus, when you plant near a pool, generally the plants get warm both from the decking and added reflective rays from the sun hitting the water.

I nned a shrub by my pool and am thinking abut New Zealand Tea (Leptospermum). Does anyone know if it is messy? for low growing how about agapanthus? I'm also a fan of verben and vinca.

I have new zealiand tea and they do have small pinkish white flowers that are a bit messy for a pool