Tips for Healthy Community Ponds
Select environmental companies that specialize in the design, installation and maintenance
of successful littoral shelf plantings using exclusively native plants.
For pond bank plantings, work with an environmental company or landscape designer
that has successfully used native plants on shoreline and pond bank plantings. Make
sure that pond bank plants will not shade out littoral shelf plantings.
Human beings tend to be irrationally fearful of big plants, lots of plants and thin, “weedy
looking” plants. Be sure your plans include plenty of smaller, attractive native plants and
pathways. Educate your community about plants and their habitat benefits.
Make sure your design and environmental team work together and have a solid plan
for successful removal of turf and eliminating weeds in the soil before planting.
Work with experienced professionals to develop a maintenance schedule for grooming
your native plants and most importantly, staying on top of weeds regularly.
Find the plants and environmental and landscape resources you need
at PlantRealFlorida.org and FloridaNativeNurseries.org
Wate r quality
PHOTO: PEG URBAN
Two beautiful native shrubs useful in most
areas of the state are American Beautyberry,
Callicarpa americana, and Firebush, Hamelia patens,
mixed together here in a casual planting. These
shrubs can take light shade conditions under the
edge of tree canopies, making them a good choice
in heavily treed Oak Court. Firebush has a long
blooming season and attracts lots of butterflies and
birds. American Beautyberry’s magenta-colored
fruit provides a lot of unique color and food for birds.
Close-up view of the colorful fronds of Giant Leather Fern.
Giant Leather Fern is a striking accent shrub in the Central and
South Florida landscape. It will reach 8-10 feet in height and
about the same width. It spreads by easily removed underground
suckers. Keep it looking fresh by combing out old fronds.
Action! Here we see a Great Blue Heron that has just caught
a small black swamp snake. Water and native plants bring
life to your landscape. Learn to be part of your environment
and enjoy the life you see. Most wildlife poses no threat.
PHOTO: MARY KEIM PHOTO: MARY KEIM
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