Patricia & John

Designed By: Change of Greenery and Native Butterfly Flowers

Installed By: Change of Greenery and Native Butterfly Flowers

Started: Spring 2021

Percentage of Native Plants: 85%

Amount of Sun and Shade: Mixed sun/shade

Unique Features and Animals: When we purchased our home in the summer of 2020, our 1 acre lot was pretty barren with a few avocado trees, some palm trees (both native and non-native), a few pines and one nice oak tree. It was overwhelmingly St. Augustine grass. We wanted to eliminate as much of that grass as we could. The objective was to create habitat for pollinators, birds, and wildlife; giving them food sources, nesting material, bedding/den sites etc. Basically, the opposite of what grass provides!

We now have many native bees, butterflies and other pollinators year-round, squirrels, Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks, cardinals, warblers, painted buntings, ibis, hummingbirds and more.

The transformation and impact was nearly immediate and very significant. Our yard is now so much more alive and brings us great satisfaction.

BIRDS: Cardinals, painted buntings, phoebes, peewees, vireos, red tailed hawks, broad winged hawks, kestrels, eagles, swallow tailed kites, great horned owls, various herons, various egrets, sandhill cranes, white & glossy Ibises, tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, pileated and red bellied woodpeckers, etc.

REPTILES: snakes, lizards, soft shell and box turtles

MAMMALS: rabbits, deer, raccoons, armadillo, coyotes in neighborhood

INSECTS: many varieties – about a dozen different butterflies with host plants for eating and pupating and lots variety of dragonflies

Landscape Description: Our lot was very typical for our neighborhood, our community, our state, etc. Dominated by grass with a few trees and bushes scattered around. Easy to mow, but requiring lots of water, chemicals etc. We have eliminated much of the grass, although much remains and we have plans to continue adding more beds replacing more grass; and don’t spray/spread any pesticides/herbicides etc. We look forward to working with Change of Greenery to continue the process we have started.

Challenges: Need for shade trees – planted some oaks and pines. Replace as much grass with native plants as feasible.

Certifications:

Parking Restrictions: Room in owner’s driveway for several cars and parking on street in neighborhood.