The big day has finally arrived! The sun is shining and the weather is sweet. Your new landscape was just finished and all the plants are green and happy! Undoubtedly, everything is so fresh and tidy! Sitting back and taking it all in with your favorite refreshment, you daydream about what it will look like next year after it all grows and fills in. That will be a wonderful experience if you follow sound principles. If not, it may be painful as you agonize over the time and money you invested in a landscape design that didn’t plan for a sustainable future. This article provides our Top 10 things to consider for your Jacksonville FL landscaping project. But in reality, these principles can be applied to any location.
Use this list as a checklist when reviewing the design to ensure that the plant selections and their placement has a long-term vision. There is nothing worse than realizing the wrong plant is in the wrong place and you must rip it out and start again. Here’s our Top 10 list:
- Hardiness Zone
- Kid and Pet-Friendly Plants
- Invasive Exotics
- Soil Type
- Drought Tolerance
- Salt Tolerance
- Plant Availability
- Maintenance Requirements
- Growth: Impact to Utilities
- Growth: Impact to Building
Read below for more detailed information on each item.
Introduction
At Ethos Landscapes, we believe in providing solutions based on sound design principles, but also scientific research, and industry experts. In Florida, one of the best FREE resources available to the public is the University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department.
They provide fact sheets for most trees and shrubs that grow in Florida. You can read about all the characteristics, growth habits, and growing conditions needed for each plant. After reading our Top 10 list, I would encourage reviewing these fact sheets for your plants to ensure they will survive in the conditions of your site.
In any case, if you hire a Landscape Architect or landscape designer, they should be aware of these. Ask your design professionals if the plants being used have considered the factors found on this Top 10 list. We encourage our clients to ask questions and will be happy to discuss plants. If your designer isn’t willing or able to discuss these topics, there is a problem.
Hardiness Zone
Knowing what hardiness zone your property is located in is critical to the long-term survival of your plants. Hardiness zones determine how cold your area will get in the winter. This will drive which plants will survive and thrive. For example, if you install tropical plants, like coconut palms, in Virginia, they will die during the first winter.
To find your hardiness zone, visit the USDA website. This website has an interactive map that allows you to enter your address to find your specific hardiness zone.
Jacksonville, FL, and most of Northeast Florida are in zone 9a. This means that the Average Annual Extreme Minimum Temperature is 20-25 degrees (F). So, on our coldest days of the year, it is expected that Jacksonville will see temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees.
Presently, inappropriate plants are being sold and installed by companies looking to make a quick buck, only to have them die next winter. As tempting as it can be to use tropical and sub-tropical plants, you are best suited to choose plants adapted to your climate. Then again, for some clients, the risk of freeze damage is worth it and they install tropical plants with the knowledge that replanting and replacement on a regular schedule is acceptable.
Kid and Pet-Friendly Plants
When children and pets are planning to use the space, select plant materials that are safe. In this case, avoid plants that have thorns, sharp spines of leaves, or other hazardous characteristics. Unfortunately, many plants are poisonous to humans and animals. Be sure to review the proposed plants for any potential toxicity.
A few Florida examples:
- Oleander, Nerium oleander is a common landscape plant. All parts of the plant are extremely toxic. Poisoning can occur by eating any part of the plant or even inhaling smoke from burning branches. Use this plant with caution.
- King Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta is another plant seen around Florida. The seeds are a common cause of poisoning in dogs and can be fatal.
For more examples of poisonous plants in Florida, visit the Florida Museum website
Invasive Exotics
Be aware that some retailers and landscapers sell invasive exotics plants. Some of these plants have attractive foliage or flowers but can disrupt native plant communities. These plants readily spread to native habitats by seed where they form dense stands and crowd out native plants. Birds are often responsible when they ingest the seeds and then deposit them later in nearby areas.
A prime example of this is the Asparagus Fern, Asparagus aethiopicus, and Ruellia, Ruellia simplex. These plants are listed as a Category 1 Florida Invasive Species, yet continue to be planted in built landscapes.
A quick search of your local or State invasive plant list can prevent you from unknowingly contributing to the spread of harmful plants. The Florida Invasive list can be found on the Florida Invasive Species Council website.
Soil Type
The type of soil you have will be a factor in which plants are best suited for your property. Some plants grow best in sandy, well-drained soils. Think coonties, sea oats, and agaves. While others prefer moist soils, like maple and cypress trees.
Determining your soil type will go a long way in picking the right plants. To begin with, you can dig some test areas around your property and observe the soil. You can take note of how quickly water drains into the soil.
If you would prefer, there are professional soil testing services that are available for reasonable rates. Talk to your local nursery or design professional. Investigating the existing conditions is a standard part of the Ethos Landscapes Site Inventory conducted at the beginning of our design projects. Learn more by visiting our Design Services page.
Drought Tolerance
Based on your soil type, aim to select plants that can survive on rainfall alone. In many areas of the country, water shortages and fire are creating real challenges. By selecting plants that survive on rainfall alone, you are helping conserve valuable water resources and saving money on your water bill!
Ask your local nursery or designer about the drought tolerance of your selected plants. In some areas that receive a lot of rainfall, you will have a lot of options to choose from. Perhaps you might have to select plants that love water! In other areas, you will need to use native plants or other plants that are adapted to those local conditions.
When you select the right plant for the right place, you are happy and the plants are happy!
Salt Tolerance
Do you live near the coast? Is your property exposed to salt spray from ocean breezes and storms? If you live near a body of saltwater, such as the Intracoastal waterway, a bay, or a creek, you may also experience saltwater infusion into your soil from tides or from groundwater.
When plants are exposed to salt spray from breezes and storms, the leaves and foliage can be damaged. Plants that are not adapted to those growing conditions will usually not survive.
Only certain plants are suitable for soils that come in contact with salt water, either from tides or groundwater.
Be sure to understand the conditions on your property. If applicable to your situation, check to make sure your plants can tolerate salt exposure.
Plant Availability
There is nothing worse than spending hours on finding the right plants only to realize that nobody sells them. Local nurseries may grow some of their material, but also purchase plant materials from larger, regional growers. The current availability of different plants is affected by weather, economic factors, supply chain issues, and much more.
Start by calling your local nursery to determine if they have the plants in stock. If not, they may be able to order them from their suppliers.
If the plants are simply not available, work with a professional to determine a suitable replacement species that will perform similarly. (Contact Us) and we will be happy to use our resources to locate growers or find a replacement species for you.
Maintenance Requirements
Will you be able to trim that hedge when it reaches maturity? Do you enjoy spending weekends in the yard trimming, pruning, cutting, and more? Take into consideration the amount of maintenance that will be necessary to keep the plants healthy and looking their best. Xeriscaping is a design method used to provide solutions that save water and reduce maintenance requirements. While xeriscaping may not be right for your situation, everyone should aim to lower the amount of maintenance required in their landscapes. Unless of course, you love spending hours working in your garden!
This can be accomplished by using the right plant, right place principle. If you select a plant that can be allowed to grow unrestricted and in a natural state without the need for trimming, pruning, or any other input, you’ve made a nice choice.
The classic example is a row of tall shrubs planted in front of a house. The plant selected can grow up to ten feet tall if left alone. The homeowner is now obligated to keep trimming the hedge to keep it from blocking the windows. It’s a never-ending battle!
Growth: Impact to Utilities
Trees and plants can impact utilities on a site and lead to disruptions to power and utility service. When we say utilities, we are referring to power lines and other overhead utilities, light poles, fire hydrants, underground water and sewer lines, septic systems, etc. Damaging these can be a costly mistake.
A good rule of thumb is to place trees no closer than 10 feet from any underground utility line if possible. Sometimes that is not possible, so you can work with your designer or contractor to select a plant that reduced the likelihood of impacting the utility line or you can install a root barrier system.
Similarly, for overhead lines, mature tree canopies should be no closer than 10 feet, in any direction, to an overhead utility line.
Most local utility providers have guidance on best practices for placement and recommended tree species.
Growth: Impact to House or Buildings
Similar to utilities, houses and buildings can be impacted by trees and plants. The 10-foot rule applies to houses as well. It’s generally a good idea to not plant trees closer than 10 feet from a building. Branches and roots can impact the roof, walls, and foundation under certain circumstances. There is no real benefit to planting too close to a building.
Another good practice is to avoid plants that will grow too tall and block windows, vents, and other building elements.
Final Thoughts
While this list is extensive, a trained professional should consider these as part of their standard process. If you are hiring help for your Jacksonville FL Landscaping project, review their proposals against this list. Conversely, if you have a green thumb and enjoy the process, use this list when selecting plants for your landscapes. Feel free to reach out to Ethos Landscapes with any questions!