Going native trending on islands
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that planting native is thriving as islanders are redoing their landscapes post-Hurricane Ian. Sales are booming and house calls are in high demand at its Native Landscapes & Garden Center on Sanibel.
“We welcome residents and visitors to stop by during our regular hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday,” center Manager Becca Grotian said. “If those hours don’t work for you, we now are also offering sales by appointment on Saturdays. Just call us during the week to schedule.”
With the help of a grant facilitated by the Shell Island Garden Club and donations to the “Tree-build” campaign launched last year, the center is also progressing with its own post-Ian restoration efforts.
“The local garden club applied to the National Garden Club’s Natural Disaster grant on our behalf for replanting the residential gardens directly around the historic Bailey house. Those gardens have now been fully restored,” she said. “Other demonstration gardens are also coming back into shape.”
The SCCF reported that demonstration gardens help customers envision how various island habitats can be landscaped with resilient native plants. By planting native, islanders help protect water quality and coastal resilience, while providing habitat for wildlife. Native landscapes do not need fertilizers, which are damaging to water quality, and they support birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Restoration is nearly complete on the Beach Dune garden and part of the Tropical Hammock garden. Other areas, including the Pollinator, Hardwood Hammock and Scrub gardens, as well as the Devitt Pond, are currently being worked on and weeded for future restoration.
“It takes time to recover from an event as pervasive as Ian,” Grotian said. “Like we encourage our clients, we all have to be patient and nurturing to revive our landscapes.”
DONATE TO EARN A HOUSE CALL
To thoughtfully approach replanting, island residents and businesses are utilizing the center’s house call program. Donations to the SCCF of $100 or $250 for a business earn members an on-site visit.
“A landscaping for wildlife house call entails a walk around a homeowner’s property, identifying the existing or, in a lot of cases now, what’s come up since Ian plants and explaining if they are native, non-native or invasive species,” she said.
After the walk around, plant recommendations are made for the different areas of the yard, and questions are answered regarding maintenance and specific plants.
“From there, we put together a brief report that basically summarizes what is discussed during the site visit and includes lists of recommendations and plants identified on the property,” Grotrian said, adding that house calls are currently booked out into April.
PRIVACY BUFFERS, GROUNDCOVER IN DEMAND
The SCCF reported that the center’s team bases its stock on customer demand and needs. They are currently finding a lot of demand for shrubs as customers are trying to revegetate their privacy buffers. Resilient and attractive native groundcover options are also in demand as residents are moving away from the use of grass or sod.
For more about options for replanting and the best use of specific species, check out the SCCF’s Post-Hurricane Ian Replanting Guide at https://issuu.com/sccf3/docs/sccf_replanting_guide-final.