Front Entrance Refresh

In March, our community gathered to rejuvenate our front entrance. Thank you to everyone who came out to help! Please stop by and see all the beautiful new plants that are beginning to bloom! Below are a few pictures of the space from the March replanting weekend.

These plants may not look like your typical landscaping plants. You won't find them at Lowes or Home Depot. We made the decision to plant Florida Natives in the flower beds and as ground cover in place of sod. By planting natives, we are :

• Investing in a future community space that will use water more efficiently by using drought tolerant plants so that long term we can water less

• Planting the right plant in the right place - natives love Florida's sandy, low nutrient, sandy soil, removing the need to use fertilizer which are harmful to our environment

• Providing healthy food sources and habitat for our native wildlife and pollinators

• Using natural pine straw mulch which is chemical and dye free and will break down and return important nutrients to the ground

In leu of sod, we have planted a mix of Sunshine Misosa (Mimosa strigillosa) and Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora). Both spread out via vines and form mats and flower throughout the year.

Behind the brick entrance sign, we planted a large wildflower meadow. Keep an eye out for new blooms as the seasons pass!

Wildflower Meadow

A few of the plants blooming now:

• Tampa Verbena, Glandularia tampensis

• Oakleaf Fleabane, Erigeron quercifolius

• Wild Petunia, Ruellia caroliniensis

• Black Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta

• Blanket Flower, Gaillardia pulchella

• Firebush, Hamelia patens

• Tropical Sage (Red and White), Salvia coccinea

• Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa

• Lance-leaved Tickseed, Coreopsis lanceolata

• Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis

• And more to come! All plants were purchased from Green Isle Gardens Native Nursery in Groveland, FL

If you have any questions about the Entrance Gardens, or would like to help maintain them, please complete our contact form and we'll be in touch! Or stop by to chat with Heather when she is weeding!

For more information on Florida Native Gardening, here are some resources to get started:

• Florida Native Plant Society - Cuplet Fern, Seminole County Chapter

• Florida Association of Native Nurseries