Landscape Designer – Bruce Turley Location – St. Petersburg (but it is in the Madeira Beach / Seminole area)
Sally wanted to eliminate lawn and existing and extensive non-native plantings and trees and attract a range of wildlife from pollinators including butterflies to songbirds.
We ended with a progressive design and installation project that started with the backyard and progressed through the front until the entire lawn was replaced with native landscaping adapted to a coastal / waterfront property.
Uncontrolled urban development and the invasion by aggressive non- native species of plants (also known as alien, introduced, or exotic) are responsible for the loss of natural habitat.
While we all care about the health of our landscapes and gardens, most of us are completely unaware of this kind of “alien” invasion that is harming our natural ecosystem.
Invasive plants are plants that have been introduced from other regions and exhibit a tendency to spread out of control in their new habitats. These plants spread rapidly like wildfire and are able to establish themselves within existing native plant communities disrupting the integrity of the natural ecology. The loss of native plants adversely affects the native biodiversity and also reduces the food and shelter on which insects, birds and other wildlife and pollinators depend. It can also alter natural processes such as fire frequency and water flow. (more…)
If there was an option that would allow you to lower the long-term cost of your restoration project, while providing a beautiful landscape, habitat for wildlife, and water conservation, would you use it? Native plants can provide all of these benefits and more. The information below will help introduce you to using native plants and explain how they can benefit restoration projects in Florida. (more…)
With longer days and harsh sunlight in the summer, the air conditioning systems in our home have to work harder to keep the interiors comfortable. But did you know that proper landscaping design with the right shade tree choices can keep your home cooler and reduce energy consumption too? Air conditioners need to work only half as much for cooling a fully shaded house than in a house that has its walls and roof exposed to the sun. In fact, studies confirm that the average U.S. household can save about 15% to 35% yearly in energy costs. (more…)
Native landscaping as a sustainable practice provides for lower maintenance with reduced inputs such as pruning, fertilizer, water, and pesticide use. It may be as easy as replacing high input lawn areas or shifting your mindset to attract, conserve and sustain wildlife and provide a sense of place, the ‘REAL FLORIDA’. A more natural landscape model will provide its’ owner with the best possibilities for aesthetics, improved maintenance regiments, and an incredible life giving dynamic to enjoy. (more…)
Focus on rebuilding landscapes with salt-tolerant native plants to mitigate future storm risks.
