Check back for regular updates to portfolio postings. I won't post all projects, just those that illustrate a point.
Thanks,
Bp
Project: "Best of What's Around"
This was a real typical project, with some existing plants I wanted to utilize, but a total removal of lawn. I used Sunshine Mimosa in the easement between the sidewalk and street and a variety of upland shrubs and wildflowers (Simpson Stoppers, Red Cedar, Tropical Sage, Pencilflower, Bahama Cassia, Winged Elm). A close inspection will reveal a fair bit of Dwarf Indian Hawthorn, which is not native, but was already prevalent on the property. Since it's extremely hardy and Florida Friendly, I pulled it into the new area to create some sense of consistency between older landscape features and newer. A major design feature and focal point is the crushed shell path from the front door to a gate in the side yard fence.
Before
After
After
Some good "after shots" of other projects
This was a refresh of some existing beds. I pulled out some old shrubbery and gave the front bed a modern curve. I used compact Simpson Stoppers, Coontie and a central White Indigoberry.
The side bed got an extension away from the house and I put in some coffees, Dwarf Walters Vibernum and a transplanted Wild Olive.
Here's Dwarf Walters Vibernum doing the "tight spot" shot...not many shrubs can pull this off. DWV needs a solid year of watering to establish, but will be very drought tolerant once it's roots grow in.
I get a lot of questions about groundcovers. Here's my two favorite natives: Creeping Sage (Salvia misella)on the right(shadier) and Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) on the left (sunnier).
Creeping Sage spaced at 2' centers filled in about 8 mo
and has a really nice, little blue flower
Meanwhile, Mimosa planted the same density filled in a bit quicker and has a pink puffball flower
This is a good example of a part shady/part sunny backyard removal. Grass was not cuttin' it for this family...so we did away with it. We included a nice paver path and some space for the "dogs business". This shot shows an herb garden with native rosemary, as well as parsley, sage and mints. Dwarf Walter's vibernum line the fence as well as Myrsine.
DWV's and Myrsine along the fence. Myrsine (Rapanea punctata) will grow to 8-10 ft and cover the fence in about 3 years. We installed a drip irrgation system (netafim) to help them along, but also put in a valve to shut it off once the shrubs are established. The herb garden will always need some irrigation.
Creeping sage serves as a groundcover and will completely fill in the front of the bed. Pineywoods Dropseed (Sporobolus junceus) is grouped in threes sporadically, as well as rain lilies (Zephyranthes atamasco). Simpson Stoppers (Myrcanthes fragrans) and Myrsine sit near the fence to provide some cover and food for birds and cover the fence.
Utility areas like this are often best left un-landscaped. We chose a crushed shell cover for this area. The only maintenance it requires is weeding grass and sedge sprouts.
For images and descriptions of more Florida Native plants, please visit www.wilcoxnursery.com. Or better yet, take some time for a visit.
