Upfront
Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner.
This Spring has been hot, dry, windy, and cool with very little rain. We are seeing the water restrictions in place and enforced by communities, municipalities, and HOAs. Keep an eye on the dry. We are doing our best to monitor all water situations and follow all best practices for a water-wise weather event.
Thank you to all who visited our Spring Fling, it was a HUGE success with record attendance. Lots of plant informational educational classes. Special thanks to our food vendors, My Trucking Tacos, Lemonade Express, and Grace’s Taste of Poland for being at the event. Mark your calendars for our annual Hazeltine Harvest October 14-16.
Special shout out to Todd Lewellyn, who was acknowledged for his 40 years of service with Hazeltine. He is the first employee hired by Stephen and Michelle – he is now our grounds manager and lead compost operations.
Maintenance Matters
Did you know a 5000 square foot lawn can produce enough oxygen daily to support 14-34 people?
Readiness is staying informed. Hurricane season is just around the corner. While forecasting of hurricanes remain unpredictable, it is always good to have your hurricane plan ready to go. As far as your landscape preparedness plan here are some recommendations:
- Be proactive
- Prune dead or dying branches
- Secure or store loose items like furniture and potted plants
- Clear gutters to prevent flooding
- Clean storm water drains to keep them free of debris
- Should we experience a storm, secure objects and turn off your irrigation system
Post hurricane, give us a call and we will come out to evaluate your property, identify potential hazards, and remove debris and damaged trees. We will help restore your property to its best.
Design Time
Looking for some enhancements in your garden? At Hazeltine, we’re seeing some exciting trends that can elevate your space:
• Outdoor living rooms: Create a cozy extension of your home—perfect for relaxing, entertaining, or unwinding after a long day.
• Water features, fire elements, and landscape lighting: Instantly enhance your yard’s ambiance and make every evening magical.
• Natural materials: Increased availability and choices such as limestone, clay bricks, unique gravels, and stones are more popular than ever, adding timeless beauty and character.
• Synthetic turf: The ultimate low-maintenance aesthetically pleasing solution for high-traffic areas, pet zones, playgrounds, or creative patio designs. You will also see this used in 6-inch joints on patios squares and driveways to create beautiful patterns.
We can help create your cozy retreat, stone patio or any specialized outdoor living area you can dream up. Let our professional design team help you turn your landscape areas into a place you can entertain in, relax and retreat.
Growings On…
Progress continues at the VOTI jobsite with our subsurface drainage and automated irrigation systems installations.
• Our crews have trenched out and installed over 2500′ of mainline pipe & sleeving in areas where concrete was scheduled to be poured to ensure all future plant beds can be irrigated properly.
• They are gearing up to install the remaining 9000′ of mainline and lateral lines over the next month in preparation for plantings to begin.
Greenhouse Gossip
Florida’s USDA Hardiness Zone 9-10 includes South Florida and warm coastal areas where summers are long, hot, and humid, and winters are mild with rare frost. In this climate, shade trees are essential for reducing heat, conserving energy, and improving landscape health. Selecting trees that are well adapted, especially native species, ensures better survival, lower maintenance, and greater resistance to storms and pests.
Characteristics of Shade Trees
Shade trees suited for Zone 9-10 must tolerate:
- High temperatures and humidity
- Sandy or limestone based soils
- Periodic drought followed by heavy rainfall
- Strong winds from tropical storms and hurricanes
Native or well adapted trees typically require less irrigation and fertilizer and perform better over time in Florida’s challenging climate.
Recommended Shade Trees for Zone 9-10
Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
The Southern live oak is one of Florida’s most iconic shade trees. It develops a massive, spreading canopy that provides extensive shade and cooling. Live oaks are long lived and highly wind resistant when properly pruned. Due to their large mature size, they are best suited for parks, streets, and large residential lots.
Benefits of Shade Trees
Shade trees significantly reduce air temperatures and can lower home cooling costs by blocking direct sunlight. They also improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, stabilize soil, and provide valuable habitat for birds and pollinators. Proper placement on the south or west side of buildings maximizes energy saving benefits.
Plant Spotlight
Sapphire Showers – Duranta erecta
Sapphire Showers is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree known for its cascading violet-blue flowers edged in white. It thrives in full sun and can tolerate some drought once established. This plant is also highly attractive to bees and butterflies, making it a beautiful choice for pollinator-friendly landscapes.
West Indian Mahogany – Swietenia mahagoni
West Indian Mahogany is an evergreen shade tree valued for its dense canopy and strong structure. It is drought tolerant, storm resistant, and well suited for urban and suburban landscapes. Once established, it provides consistent year-round shade with very little maintenance.
Gumbo Limbo – Bursera simaruba
Gumbo Limbo is a fast-growing native tree commonly found in South Florida. It is easily recognized by its peeling red bark and open canopy. Extremely drought tolerant and well adapted to coastal environments, it is ideal for residential landscapes where moderate shade is desired.
