Sounds like you have some landscaping already going on. And, like you say, the fewer dropping of leaves, the better.

I would use some of the ornamental conifers like you have mentioned, and lots of bulbs. Not real sure what grows in your zone, but bulbs are easy, don't drop leaves, and can give you lots of color. The conifers could fill in, even though they shed some. The farther away from the pool they are the better.

And you may find some other perennials like salvias, butterfly bushes, etc. that can give you color without large leaves.

Hello,

You can also add Croton plants. Crotons love lots of light and have colorful leaves making them excellent pool plants whether it is potted or not. Also I have searched from Google for some pool landscape design. I hope this helps you. Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Landscape design

to name a few:
globe spruce
barberry (crimson against threadleaf looks great) or golden barberry as a companion for red laceleaf maple

I'm also in the same boat...I think poolscapes are so important and I need more color around the pool area minus the mess..

anything red incorporated would pop against the blue of the pool water..