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Miscellaneous Resources and Links
The information provided, herein, may be freely used by the reader. However, there are no guarantees or warrantees implied and user should seek verification and further information from local experts to achieve optimum impact on their site.
Landscape
Maintenance Considerations (pdf, 316 kb)
Tips on
the Maintenance and Location of Small Trees (pdf,
21 kb)
FL-ASLA
Smart Growth & Sustainability Document:flasla.org/docs/ASLA
Visions of Smart Growth and Sustainability.pdf
Sustainable
Sites Initiative:www.sustainablesites.org
Native Plants for
Life:www.fnps.org/pages/publications/articles/qualityoflife.html
Environmental Sustainability
Blog:
www.ecotonelanddesign.wordpress.com
Native Plant Info:
www.plantnative.com
Perspectives on Site and Community Design
The use of native plant species is not a new thing. Many of our old standby species are well worn. The ornamental Southern Magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) has been gracing home landscapes since the early European colonists pulled it out of the woods and placed it in a more convenient location near their homes. "Ancient" Live Oaks still line the formal entrance routes to historic plantation sites. But such monocultural plantings were not as kind to the American elm, as it was struck with Dutch elm disease and virtually eliminated as an ornamental landscape plant.
At Ecotone Land Design, Inc. we try to clarify how native plants play a pivotal part in what our cooperative extension service suggest as the "right plant - right place" design rule. Trusting someone who works at maintaining or installing a landscape to give knowledgeable plant selection advise could be risky. If you don't have time to do your own research, consider finding advice from someone with a horticultural, arboriculture or botanical background to be on the safe side. Knowledgeable people may understand where their shortcomings are and be willing to direct you to someone who can help you with your specific need.
Just because a plant is native does not mean that there is a place for it in your landscape. Your site is likely drastically changed from its "natural" condition, so your soils and water availability need to be evaluated, even though your site may have once been a wetland. Understanding whether a plant species grows naturally in a "Mesic" or "xeric" environment or in sun or shade are just some of the types of considerations that could make native plants a success in your landscape.
Regards,
Mark L. Johnson, RLA, MLA, ASLA
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Ecotone Land Design, Inc.501 East Oak Street, Suite A · Kissimmee, Florida 34744
Phone (407) 931-2225 · Fax (407) 209-3884
Serving Orange, Polk, Osceola, Lake, Highlands, Brevard, St. Lucie, Seminole, Volusia counties and all of Florida with headquarters in Kissimmee-St. CloudMaterials may not be duplicated or reproduced without written permission.