Landscape Architect Articles

Hurricane Proof Gardens02-14-06 | News

Hurricane Proof Gardens

Confederate jasmine is among the hurricane resistant plants being used throughout Florida since the state was ravaged by Hurricanes Frances and Wilma.

When Hurricane Wilma roared across Florida in 2005, it caused $12.2 billion worth of property damage. Mario Nievera, a Landscape Architect based in Palm Beach, had clients who lost as much as $500,000 worth of plants. Nievera had already been struggling to restore gardens destroyed by Hurricane Frances in 2004.

Since then, many people in hurricane prone areas of the country are becoming more cautious about spending money on landscaping. Understandably, they are looking for plants that can withstand the hurricane-force winds.

?EUR??,,????'??Many people are waiting to see if they really want to spend that money,?EUR??,,????'?? said Nievera. ?EUR??,,????'??It?EUR??,,????'???s a real change in mentality.?EUR??,,????'??

Expensive date palms (approximately $10,000 each) have replaced many coconut palms (about $3,000 each) in Florida due to their ability to withstand devastating winds. Other hardy, weather resistant plants Nievera has recommended for his clients are pittosporum, purple queen ground cover, green island ficus, mimusop trees, pygmy dates and confederate jasmine.

Source: Orlando Sentinel