The defining characteristics of the weather in South Florida are heat & humidity. Gardening here is different from elsewhere in the country as there are a great many exotic and beautiful plants which can thrive in this climate. It’s not necessary to be an professional gardener or landscaper to create a beautiful South Florida yard. But it does take a willingness to learn and some good old fashioned work. Here are a few DIY gardening tips for your South Florida property.
Greet Guests With Flowers
Your visitors with feel very welcomed when they see colorful flowers growing in the front of your home. Consider growing an assortment of annuals and perennials so there is always vibrant color visible year-round such as petunias, snapdragons, Lily-of-the-Nile and roses.
Use Potted Succulents on Porches & Patios
Succulents are a great, low-maintenance way to add color and charm to porches and patios. Some popular succulents to grow in pots are cacti, aloe, sedums and “hens and chicks”. Just choose a few you like with contrasting forms and place them in attractive pots/containers for some real eye appeal.
Choose Some Slow-Growing Plants
Because working outdoors can be very uncomfortable in the intense heat and humidity, it’s a good idea to grow plants that don’t beg for frequent trims in order to look good. Crotons are among South Florida’s most popular easy-care foliage plants which have brilliantly colorful leaves shot with gold, red, orange, green and pink. There are many croton varieties to choose from so select a few in your favorite sizes & colors. The Mammy croton is one of the smaller varieties that have bright red, yellow and green leaves. These plants are ideal for jazzing up an all-green landscape and they’re low-maintenance to boot.
Plant Small Palm Trees
Many South Florida homes can benefit from the tropical touch provided by palm trees. Small palms can go nearly anywhere including very small yards, near entrances, in the center of circular drives or in containers on a deck, patio or porch. Because it’s best to buy a palm that has grown in the same light where you will be planting it, be sure to ask the nursery what light the palms you like were grown in (sun or shade).
Contact Zito Landscape Design
If you need help creating a beautiful outdoor environment, contact Zito Landscape Design. We’re a full-service Miami & Fort Lauderdale landscape company that offers a wide range of landscaping services from landscape design, consulting & installation to general maintenance and care.
Zito Landscape Design Can Help You Design Beauty and Privacy Into Your Yard
Depending on your landscape needs, you might want to vary the height of your hedge or privacy screen to make it more visually interesting. That means choosing trees and shrubs of different heights. When you’re looking into shrubs and trees, you’ll also need to consider how much sun and shade they get, as different plants have different needs.
