Local Landscaper Discusses Native Plant Benefits
The goal of a landscape design in a historic home is to accentuate the character of the property and allow the home to look its best in a natural, traditional setting. For this reason, choosing to use native plants when planning a landscape design for a historic home makes a lot of sense, especially for our traditionally beautiful homes in Fort Myers.
We are a team of local landscape professionals who specialize in designing, installing and maintaining landscapes for homes and businesses across Southwest Florida. We use our years of local knowledge and state of the art technology to create stunning landscapes which can boost the curb appeal of any property and work with the style and preference of the owner.
Fort Myers is a beautiful city with tremendous character, and since this is the case there are several areas which are designated as historic districts. These areas feature some beautiful homes, and when you’re landscaping one of these properties it’s important to adhere to historic guidelines and use the plants, trees and hardscapes to bring out the character in the home. In most cases, this involves the use of plants native to the area.
In the sections to follow, we will discuss the importance of incorporating local plants and trees into the landscape plan for a historic home.
The most obvious reason to choose local plant life is its ability to thrive in our climate. We live in an area which is warm year-round and experiences a great deal of humidity. The year-round temperate climate allows certain plants to thrive, but others can’t handle the higher temperatures we get in the summer months.
When you also consider the salinity of local soil due to our proximity to the ocean, you begin to narrow down the types of plants which can thrive in Southwest Florida. By choosing native plants which are accustomed to the heat, salt and humidity of the area, you can ensure your landscape stays healthy and the plants have the best chance to thrive.
Another key benefit to choosing natural plants and trees is their ability to fit right in with a traditional landscape design, which is ideal for historic homes. Historic districts often call for all properties in the area to have common features, and when you choose local plants and trees there is a good chance they are already naturally occurring in the district, so your home won’t look out of place and will comply with historic district ordinances.
Since native plants have always been a part of the local landscape, there is a good chance your home was originally designed to work with the natural features of the land. By planting new flora which is native to the area, you accomplish the goal of accentuating your home with plants which are aesthetically pleasing and fit the look of the home.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of local plants for a historic home and look into which local plants would be best for your home’s needs, we’re here to help. Give us a call today to get started.
