The Benefits and Best Practices On Using Florida Native Plants

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2. Thanks for the invitation…
 Based in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
 We provide comprehensive/turn-key
landscape services to the greater Sarasota
area.
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3. Florida at a crossroads!
 Florida is clearly at its greatest crossroads -- ever. That is said
because its decisions in the realm of the natural environment are
now far more critical than at any other time. The nature for which it
is famous and identified is now going to be preserved or is not going
to be preserved, with permanent results.
 The indications right now are that it will not -- that partial measures
will not hit the mark in keeping it the state known for its leaping fish,
its hammocks, its clean ocean shores, its manatees, its forests, and
its pristine and often crystal-clear springs. A huge state treasure is
now in far more jeopardy than the citizenry and state
representatives know.
 The interior springs and lakes in Florida are in sudden and serious
jeopardy -- and with them the state's future identity. No longer can
any form of complacency be justified. (By Michael Brown, an author and former journalist who, in
the 1970s, exposed the Love Canal and toxic-waste crisis in the United States, lives in Palm Coast.
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4. What is a native plant?
Native plants are the naturally occurring,
indigenous plants within a specific habitat of a
specific biogeographic region. Native plants
are adapted to the soil and climate in which
they live, and have evolved defenses to many
diseases and insect pests.
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5. USDA Hardiness Zone Map
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6. Traditional Landscapes
Traditional landscaping attempts to create a landscape
that "looks" the same regardless of location.
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7. Problem with Traditional
Landscaping
 Traditional Landscaping is pushed by nurseries and box stores that
want to sell the same plant across wide markets, maximizing
revenue through efficiencies of scale.
 Traditional Landscaping is also driven by landscape designers who
tend to use the same plants regardless of where the site is (less
burdensome than learning new plants).
 Traditional Landscaping is also driven by homeowners and
property managers who grew up learning one set of plants and
understandably use those plants as a frame of reference as they
move about the country.
 These and other forces have created an atmosphere that
emphasizes using the same plants regardless of location and
changing a site to accommodate these plants. Site changing often
entails installing irrigation, bringing in new soil or soil amendments,
regularly applying chemical products (pesticides, fertilizer, etc.),
and frequently cutting, pruning and weeding.
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8. Select plants that grow
naturally at the site!
 Designing with native plants emphasizes
selecting a plant that grows naturally at
the site.
 Traditional Landscaping changes the
place to accommodate the plant and
designing with native plants selects the
plant that goes naturally with the place.
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9. Curb Appeal
 Definition of “Curb Appeal” in real estate:
1. When you first drive up or approach a home, there
are certain features that you see and impressions that
you make. When the exterior of the home is clean,
landscaped neatly and looks good in general, then you
have appeal when viewed from the street curb, ie; curb
appeal.
2. Real estate term used to describe a home's exterior
attractiveness. A well-cared-for roof, a neat paint job,
handsome windows, decorative shutters and a
manicured garden add to a home's appearance and,
hence, its curb appeal.
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10. What are the right native
plants?
 Visit demonstration gardens.
 Create a native habitat.
 In general, the more closely you match the
environmental conditions of the source of
your plant material to that of the planting
site, the better it will grow.
 Best ecotypes for birds – nesting & food.
 Best ecotypes for pollinators.
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11. Corridors for a healthier
environment
 The thigh bone’s connected to the backbone…
the backbone’s connected to the neck bone…
the neck bone’s connected to the head bone…”
An African-American spiritual.
 As most gardeners know, we have a physical,
psychological, and often emotional connection to
our plants; the plants have a physical connection
to the soil; the soil is home to myriad
microorganisms; and the microorganisms live on
the detritus from the plants that live in the soil
that grow with TLC from the gardener.
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12. Corridors for a healthier
environment
 Over the past 50 years, developing communities
have not taken into consideration the
connections that exist between different
ecosystems across the landscape. The building
of homes and parking lots changes the way
water runs over the land, often disconnecting
wetlands from the uplands that provide storm
water runoff – the life support of wetlands.
Similarly, woodlands are cut apart by the
clearing of large areas of trees for development.
This can leave “patches” of plant and animal
habitats across our community, a trend often
referred to as “fragmentation.”
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13. Image from University Of
Minnesota
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14. Image from The University
Of Minnesota
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15. Corridors for a healthier
environment
 Effects of Fragmentation
If the spaces between the patches or fragments
of remaining ecosystem are too large or
dangerous to cross, some species may
disappear from that patch because they can’t
reproduce, or there isn’t enough food or space
to sustain future generations. And then that
species’ various impacts on the patch are lost
and the biodiversity of the patch and its
functionality are diminished.
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16. Corridors for a healthier
environment
Habitat Corridors
 Habitat corridors solve many of these problems
by providing links from one ecosystem to
another, providing a relatively safe travel route
for movement. This essentially expands the
habitat to any areas that the patch is connected
to.
 Native Landscapes with their native plants help
create and protect connections between natural
areas. Our native landscapes are the corridors
to a sustainable environment.
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17. Green Landscape
Design???
 With all the recent buzz about the “Going Green” and the
benefits it will have on our environment it can be a little
overwhelming as to what steps to take to achieve an
environmentally friendly landscape.
 What can the average person do to make a difference?
Is it purchasing a hybrid car for tens of thousands of
dollars or perhaps installing a wind turbine in the
backyard of your small urban lot.
 A lot of these solutions can be cost prohibitive. The
answer can be much more attainable as well as more
affordable than you may think!
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18. Sustainable Landscapes
Conserves resources
Preserves or creates diverse, native habitat
Manages and utilizes stormwater
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19. Steps to Successful
Sustainable Landscapes
 Build healthy soil Preserve existing soil and
vegetation (especially trees) where possible. Amend
disturbed soils with compost. Mulch existing landscapes
regularly with wood chip, coarse bark, leaves or compost.
 Right Plant, Right place! Fit landscape uses to your
site’s conditions, and choose plants that need less water,
have few pests, and thrive in the south-west Florida’s climate.
 Water Wise - group plants by water need, use
more efficient irrigation methods like drip and soakers
under mulch, and design and maintain irrigation systems
to reduce waste.
 Think twice before using pesticides - Proper
plant selection, plant care, and integrated pest
management techniques can practically eliminate the
need for weed and bug killers, reducing health risks.
 Practice natural lawn care Start with less lawn –
put turf only where needed. “Grasscycling” (mulchmowing),
and proper mowing height, watering and fertilization techniques
can save time and money.
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20. Base plan with conditions
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21. Investigate your site!
 Is your site sunny or shady?
 What is the path of the sun across your site (in
winter and summer)?
 Is the site flat or sloped or both?
 What is the soil like – backfill!!!!!!!!
 How is soil drainage – what depth is the water
table?
 Where are buildings, power lines and property
lines located?
 Would the building(s) benefit from a shade tree
or trees, and where would those trees be
located?
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22. Importance of Soils
 Soils are dynamic ecosystems composed of a
combination of minerals, organic matter, and living
organisms. Vital, healthy soils are critical in cycling
nutrients and necessary in sustaining plant growth.
 Soils are a mix of inorganic mineral particles, organic
matter, air and water. The mineral particles – sand, silt,
or clay – contain a variety of chemicals, many of which
are utilized for plant growth.
 The ability of soil to retain and transport water is an
important factor in bringing nutrients to plants.
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23. Site Preparation
 Plan to protect soil around trees and preserved
vegetation from compaction.
 Plan to stockpile and reuse site topsoil, if practical.
 Plan to amend disturbed soils with compost, prevent
recompaction, and mulch beds after planting phase.
 Consider getting a site soil sample, and any imported
topsoils, tested at a soil lab. Follow the lab’s
recommendations, and verify proper installation.
 Design landscape for recycling fall leaves and chipped
prunings as mulch, and mulch-mowing (“grasscycling”)
lawns, to help maintain long-term soil and plant health.
 Plan a composting or leaf/chip storage area on site.
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24. Restore soil functions
 Amend disturbed soils with compost:
 For lawns, 1-2 inches of compost tilled in to an 8-inch depth
 For tree and shrub beds, 2-4 inches of compost tilled at least 12
inches deep. Or amend/install a soil-compost mix in multiple lifts
(layers) to attain 16-24 inch root zone depth that’s best for
tree/shrub establishment.
 Don’t amend just the planting hole (it causes poor root
development). If not amending the whole bed, plant trees and
shrubs in the existing soil, then mulch with compost, then wood
chips on top for weed control.
 Visually inspect any imported topsoils before accepting
delivery, and verify they meet specs/lab tests. Install
topsoils properly – rip in the first lift (layer) to mix it with
the native soil, and promote deep root growth.
 Protect soils from compaction after amendment.
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25. Slow the flow: manage and
reuse storm water on-site
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26. Slow the flow: manage and
reuse storm water on-site
 Conform to existing drainage patterns as much as possible in
designing site grading.
 Minimize hardscape (concrete etc.) in the landscape – use softer
engineering or plants.
 Disperse drainage from hardscapes and roofs by spreading it out to
sheet flow into landscape areas.
 Use Natural Drainage Systems to slow and filter runoff,
such as:
Soil amendment with compost
Bio-retention swales, “raingardens” and planters
Curbless or curb-cut streets flowing to swale
Green roofs, green walls, and tree planting
Pervious paving for parking and paths
 Store and reuse stormwater beneficially:
Soil amendment and infiltration is the most cost effective way to
store rainfall for landscape use.
Stormwater detention vaults/cisterns,
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27. Slow the flow: manage and
reuse storm water on-site
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29. Bioremediation
• Microorganisms degrade toxic waste
– Bioremediation is a process that utilizes the capability of microorganisms to degrade
toxic waste
• Microorganisms alone are the key
– Scientific data worldwide has shown toxic contaminants in soils, ground waters, and
other bodies of water are controlled and degraded by microorganisms alone.
• Some conventional thinking says indigenous microbes are sufficient
– While indigenous microorganisms do acclimate to toxic intrusions and attempt to
maintain the natural ecosystem, in most cases however, the indigenous are
overloaded to the extent of the collapsing of the natural flora.
• Applied science knows inoculation is required for predictable success
– When overloading occurs, a diverse inoculation of microorganisms is required as a
catalyst to enable the indigenous to repopulate in order to restore the necessary
microbial balance that can then detoxify the contaminated area and manage the
overall ecosystem.
– Nutrient inoculations also assist the indigenous populations in repopulation over the
natural degradation period.

30. Right plant, right place!
 Select plant varieties that will thrive in your site’s
conditions (sun, soil, water), the local climate,
and that grow well together.
 Select for low maintenance needs: low water
and fertilizer needs after establishment, high
resistance to pests to eliminate chemical use,
and minimal mowing orpruning needs.
 Select based on mature size, to minimize
pruning.
 Do not design for instant gratification! Space
plants correctly.
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31. Right plant, right place!
 Plan vertically in layers, like the forest:
ground cover, understory shrubs, and
trees. (Select low shrubs and limb-able
trees where sightlines are important)
 Use native plant communities where they
fit the site conditions and design – they
often thrive with less maintenance and
provide wildlife habitat.
 Plan native and natural “buffer” areas near
waterways, slopes, and other sensitive
areas.
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32. Right plant, right place!
 Use trees, not exotic palms. Use deciduous and
broadleaf evergreens.
 Select plants with multiple benefits, such as food
(“edible landscaping”), habitat, shade, etc.
 Maximize green in dense urban areas – in public
spaces, on building walls and roofs, in street tree
placement – Put lawn where it belongs: on
sunny (or light shade to reduce water needs),
well-drained, moderately sloped areas where
needed for play or walking uses. Turf requires a
lot of maintenance and water, so choose other
plant groups where turf is not necessary or won’t
grow well (heavily shaded, sloped, or poorly
drained sites).
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33. Maximize Green!
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34. Design for water
conservation
 Group and zone plants by water need match these
“hydrozones” to irrigation system zones.
 Reduce irrigation system waste with:
 Evapotranspiration-based central computer controllers; or for
smaller systems, weather and soil moisture sensor based
“smart” controllers
 Rain shut-off devices; flow sensors (to shut off zone if pipe
breaks); check valves to stop low head drainage; and more
efficient “high distribution uniformity” heads
 Adequate piping size to minimize pressure differences, or
pressure-regulating valves on each zone in sloped systems.
Keep any pressure variation to within 10-15% of working
pressure.
 Separate zones for turf, and for each hydrozone
 Drip, soaker, or other low-flow emitters
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35. Plant establishment
 New landscapes need extra care during
the establishment period (first year):
More regular watering until roots go deep
Weeding and mulching until plants fill in
Replacement of unhealthy plants, or plants
that do not grow well in their site conditions
Troubleshooting problems with plants,
irrigation, drainage and pests.
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36. Prune less, thin
and mulch more
 Minimize pruning by choosing plants that will fit
at their mature size. Pruned hedges are very
labor-intensive –using fence and/or mature sized
plants is more sustainable.
 Prune for plant health.
 Thin excess plants as the landscape matures, to
allow adequate room for full growth.
 Keep on mulching until ground covers and
canopy close completely – weeds love bare soil.
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39. Plant Selection
Savvy!
Plant traits that reduce maintenance and prevent runoff pollution
– Drought resistance
– Wind resistance
– Pest resistance
– Low nutritional requirements
– Slow growth
Plant traits that attract wildlife
– Cover and habitat
– Seeds and nuts
– Fleshy fruits and berries
– Nectar and larval food for butterflies
– Red tubular flowers for hummingbirds
Plant traits that affect humans
– Shade
– Attractive flowers
– Scent or foliage
– Thorns leaves or roots
– Screen for privacy
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43. Living on the waters edge!
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44. Perennial Peanut - Arachis Glabrata Benth
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47. Perennial Peanut – Arachis glabrata var. hagenbeckii
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59. Grant’s Mahogany Blend
Mulch
 This landscape mulch has been specifically
formulated.
 Works back into the planting medium and acts
as an organic fertilizer to enhance base soil
conditions.
 Grant’s Blend features mulch processed from
the “melaleuca” trees and incorporates this
wood as a method of protecting our unique
Florida habitat and contributing to an
environmentally sensible solution within Grant’s
Gardens installation and maintenance
procedures.
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60. Make space for nature
 Zone highly maintained landscape elements
(lawns, flower beds) closer to buildings.
 Leave or restore wilder, “buffer” areas toward
perimeter, near waterways or slopes.
 Use native plant communities where possible,
and select plants, shrubs, and trees to support
birds and beneficial insects.
 Leave room for nature to move – trees to fall,
plants to grow, or streams to meander – by
limiting hardscaping and avoiding
linear/geometric designs. Curves and softer
engineering are more forgiving and
easier/cheaper to maintain and repair.
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61. Thank you for your attention.
Do we have time for Questions?!!!!
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