• Florida's rapid population growth is resulting in great demands on the land.  It has been estimated that more than one thousand new residents arrived each day throughout most of the 1990's.  Florida's population is projected to exceed 18 million by 2010.

 
• Such rapid growth endangers Florida's environment through the destruction of natural wetland and upland ecosystems; loss of wildlife habitats; excessive or inefficient use of water and energy resources; pollution of coastal, riparian, lake and ground waters; and generation of yard debris and other solid wastes.

• While most of the population growth is occurring in the coastal counties where 75% of Florida's population already resides, resulting in a further concentration of population and urban infrastructure in areas with limited water supplies and containing some of Florida's most sensitive ecological zones.  Development in inland and upland areas can also threaten ground water from which Floridians draw 90% of their potable water.

• Just as Florida's population is becoming more urbanized, more racially and ethnically diverse, and has an increasing median age, nearly 70% of Florida residents were born out of state, meaning most residents are unfamiliar with Florida's subtropical climate, environment, ecosystems and natural resources.  Many of the new Florida residents as well many native Floridians have many mis-perceptions about landscape care. Improper landscape practices can deplete resources and degrade Florida's environment.

An environmentally friendly landscape

• The way we design and manage our landscapes has significant impact on the environment.   Plant selection and placement, irrigation, fertilization and pest control methods all interact with each other to determine the environmental impact of your landscape.

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Plant Selection and Placement

• One of the basic tenets of an environmentally friendly landscape is selecting the right plant for the right place.  A well-planned landscape should be designed around plants which are adapted to the specific site that they will occupy.  The characteristics of a site, such as soil type, pH, drainage, light exposure etc., will dictate which plants will grow well and the level of care they may need.  A poorly sited specimen will never do well and may be prone to pest problems necessitating use of large amounts of pesticides.

• There is a wealth of information available to help you choose plant material suited to your particular site - here are just a few.

• If you check a USDA climatic zone map for Florida, you will notice that Hendry County straddles zones 9 and 10.  These zones are not as exact as the map would indicate, in general it is warmer in the eastern and southern parts of the county, although there are many factors such as proximity to water which can create local micro-climates.  Remember plant hardiness zones are useful as a guide but do not replace a good gardener's common sense and local experience.

• Ornamental Trees for South Florida - Trees are an indispensable part of the landscape. They give a home, street, or commercial site individuality, beauty, and tranquillity. Because of their long life, trees give the surroundings a sense of permanence and stability.  Species should be well adapted to the site and satisfy the purpose for which it is intended. In Florida, the number and variety of trees are so great that the choice is not always simple.  Trees listed are some of the best choices for home landscaping, and all have proven suitable for planting in southern Florida.

• Ornamental Trees for Central Florida - Tree selection is mainly a question of personal preference. This publication lists information about desirable trees for central Florida. Trees listed are some of the best choices for home landscaping, and all have proven suitable for planting in central Florida. No attempt has been made to include all trees that can be grown in central Florida.

• Southern Trees - 680 Tree Fact Sheets - This comprehensive list provides a two to three page fact sheet on 680 southern trees including line drawings, general description, climactic and soil preference, pests and diseases and tips on management and use.

• Enviroscaping to Conserve Energy: Trees for South Florida  Residential energy use comprises about 26% of all the energy used in the state of Florida. Before central heating and air conditioning, homes were designed and built to take advantage of natural heating and cooling. Landscape plants can improve the appearance of our surroundings and modify the extremes of local climate.  For example, a tree with high branches offers shade in the summer and insulation from cold winter winds. Today, passive methods of climate control are once again of interest because we are now aware of fossil-fuel supply limitations and the environmental effects of fossil- fuel use. New information has substantially improved many passive, energy-saving landscaping concepts (known as enviroscaping) from the past.

• Enviroscaping to Conserve Energy: Trees for Central Florida  This publication as well as it sister publication Enviroscaping to Conserve Energy: Trees for South Florida  will help you choose one or more species best suited to your house and landscape.  The form, growth rate, shade tolerence, mature size, drought and salt tolerence as well as other useful information is noted for each tree.

Shrubs for South and Central Florida

 
• Selected Shrubs for Central Florida - Ornamental shrubs are an important part of the home landscape. Florida homeowners can select from a large variety of available plants. This publication provides homeowners and landscape designers with an awareness of basic shrub characteristics so they can make wise selections.

• Each plant or plant group must serve a useful purpose to achieve a well designed landscape. Trees provide the framework and define the structure of the landscape.  Shrubs help partition the landscape while other annuals and perennials are used to provide accents.

• South Florida's various plant communities contain many native species of shrubs suitable for landscaping. Native plant materials are often better adapted to Florida landscape conditions than some commonly used exotic species.In recent years, interest in the use of native plants for Florida landscaping has greatly increased. Native Shrubs for South Florida will help you choose natives suited to your landscape.

 

 
 
 

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