“The Garden House” concept began 20 years ago when I first bought this house. At the time, there were was the usual lawn and small bushes that made it look conventionally tidy. But those small bushes and two overlarge trees were exotics. They were exotics to Florida. By that time, I was already involved in pristine land preservation with the Sierra Club, Audubon Society and local nature centers. When I bought this house, I was determined to create my own backyard wildlife habitat which became “The Garden House”.
The first steps were to find local Native Floridian nurseries where I bought, planted and nurtured native Floridian trees, bushes and ground covers. For less than 1/4 acre, this was a challenge to make it work. My adjacent neighbors to the east of my house planted with me down our common property line.
I planted Cedars, Simpson Stoppers, Firebush, Indigo Flower, Inktree (I had to buy that just because it was an Art name), Pigeon Plum, Gumbo Limbo, Wild Lime, Plumbago and so many more.
The concept was to return the land to the native plants. This was better for everyone:
1. It was good for the persons living in the Garden House because of the flurry of life around the house. This is called “chi”…it’s the energy of life. The neighbors loved it.
2. Eventually, the plants created shade on the east side of the home that was a clear 5 degree or more difference. This difference kept the house cooler without overrunning the a/c. The plants renewed themselves.
3. Once I put in all the plants, I had little fertilization and little weed pulling. Overgrowth pruning was about 1x a year.
4. I save on water. Not having a full sun lit lawn means less or no need for sprinklers. Floridian ground-cover plants replace the lawn so not only is it a green expanse but pretty pale pink or blue flowers pop up to greet you as you step them!
In effect, I created a miniature Floridian hammock. The birds fly over the area and find home at The Garden House.