SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that its Native Landscape & Garden Center recently reopened the Honey House on Sanibel. About a year and a half ago, Hurricane Ian flooded it with more than 5 feet of storm surge and blew off its new metal roof.

Named to commemorate the beekeeping that the pioneering Bailey family did on the property, the house opened when the SCCF relocated its garden center to the Bailey Homestead Preserve in 2015. At the back of the homestead, the cottage serves as a gift shop and features a retail check-out area as well as a hub for educational materials about native planting.

“We will be selling garden tools, neem oil, books on native plants and T-shirts,” Client Relations Sue Ramos said. “Sea turtle T-shirts, garden center T-shirts and Coastal Watch long-sleeved sun shirts will be available. We don’t have any hats or children’s shirts yet, but we hope to have some soon.”

The SCCF added that the center is experiencing more demand than ever as islanders seek to restore their landscapes post-Ian. House calls, which are a benefit of becoming an SCCF member, are booked through the middle of May.

“The house call allows the homeowner to understand what plants might work for their property,” she said. “We also share the watering or establishment period needed. That way they can plan the installation when they will be around to water the plants.”

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

With all the demand, stock is turning over fairly quickly. The inventory covers shrubs and hedges, palms, palmettos, trees, grasses, wildflowers/flowering shrubs and ground covers.

“We also offer a ‘Request List’ where we’ll take your contact info and the plants you’re looking for and will work towards fulfilling your needs,” Ramos said. “We can’t promise a time frame for that request, but we will try our best to get them as soon as we can.”

The Native Landscape & Garden Center is at 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To set up appointments for Saturdays, contact 239-472-1932.

To learn more about native planting for storm resiliency, visit the Post-Hurricane Ian Replanting Guide at https://issuu.com/sccf3/docs/sccf_replanting_guide-final. For questions, contact info@sccf.org.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Paurotis palm

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION Muhly grass