The best landscape for a Southwest Florida home is one that mostly takes care of itself. That starts with choosing plants that are already suited to sandy soil, hot summers, heavy rain, and in coastal areas, salt spray.
Group plants by how much water and sun they need. Putting thirsty plants next to drought-tolerant ones means one group is always over- or under-watered. Native and Florida-friendly choices like coontie, firebush, muhly grass, beautyberry, and saw palmetto handle local conditions with little extra care.
Plan for full size, not nursery size. A shrub that looks small in a pot can swallow a window or crowd a walkway within two summers. Giving plants room up front means far less trimming later and healthier growth.
Mind the drainage. Summer storms move a lot of water across a yard in a short time. Beds should slope away from the house, and low areas can be planted with species that tolerate wet feet or covered with stone to prevent washouts.
Finish with a clean edge and the right ground cover. Defined bed lines and a good layer of mulch or stone make even a simple planting look complete. If you'd like help putting a plan together, we offer free on-site estimates for new design and bed renovations.