Museum of Arts and Science Parking Lot

This is a great example of a parking lot that has been successfully integrated into the existing landscape. Mature canopy trees abound, providing many opportunities for viewing wildlife and a great deal of shade. The absense of turf is conspicuous and the curbless edges allow for infiltration of stormwater in the many landscape islands. There is nothing aesthetically wrong with a natural parking lot. I have listened to more than one developer insist on raised curbs because it would make the parking lot look more finished. I don't agree that a curbed parking lot appears more finished or is more aesthetically appealing than one that looks like this one does.

I think that the pedestrian walkways, well thought out drop off area and bollard lights provide a much more finished parking lot without obstructing stormwater flow, as curbs would. This is also a good example of Low Impact Design. http://www.moas.org/

Sea Oats

Without these plants there would be a lot less Florida beaches than we have now. Sea Oats are the primary stabilizing plant among the Primary dune species. They thrive on little water and lots of salt. Because few other plants can take those kinds of conditions these plants have few competitors among the dunes. Sea oats reduce beach erosion and promote a process known as accretion (build up of sand) by trapping windblown sand in their leaves and roots. http://http://www.dep.state.fl.us/beaches/publications/pdf/actbook.pdf

Coontie Transplanting

The Coontie is not the easiest plant to transplant but it isn't impossible either. I was told by a horticulturalist that they would die if transplanted. I transplanted these about 2 weeks ago and 80% of them are still green and intact. It is important that the tap root be complete. If you try to dig these up be careful to dig deep and get the entire tap root. If you sever the tap root or nic it I was told by an ecologist to let the plant dry out for a few days to allow it to harden over the wound. I planted everything the same night but I didn't keep the plants moist all day. I was warned not to plant them to deep. The ecologist told me they transplanted truck loads of them with success but not until after a bunch of them died because they were planted too deeply.

Port Charlotte FL yard ornaments

There must be some hidden meaning in this junk food perched on a discarded toilet. We left the cornballs and only took the picture. If you just look around you can find art everywhere!

Staghorn Fern

This is the largest Staghorn fern I have ever seen. It is located near Flagler Beach in a state park that is known as Washington Oaks. There are some great gardens to view if you are near there.

Stumped?

A creative concrete artist in Deep Creek, Port Charlotte conjured up this tribute to a tree stump which, after Hurricane Charley hit August 13, 2004, there are plenty now. You can't put a mailbox on it but wouldn't it be nice if more trees were saved than cut down when builders site a home?

Bermont Road

This is located in Charlotte County. It looks like ranching land but there are suprising few livestock seen here. Mostly large single home sites; a lot of prefabs. Not many trees.