Sunny Side Yard with a Shell Path

Project description: Central Florida, residential, full sun side yard with several micro climates. 

Project overview: For this side yard, the lawn was  completely removed and replaced with 22 Florida native species layered from groundcovers up through wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs to the tree canopy, along with one non-native host plant, dill (Anethum graveolens). At least eight of these plants, including the dill, are larval host plants, three of them in the legume family (Fabaceae), and together they feed the caterpillars of 15+  butterfly and moth species. The full planting supports pollinators and other wildlife year-round with nectar, seeds, and shelter across the seasons. A shell pathway runs through the space, lined with Corten steel edging. To soften the hard lines, I pulled the shell back slightly from the edging and seeded directly along the inside edges with Florida native annuals and dill for eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillars. I like the tension between the clean line of the steel and the plants seeding themselves into the path. It gives wildlife more resources, and it takes the pressure off keeping a perfect path with nothing growing in it.

This Central Florida xeriscaped yard is designed with native species that will thrive on rainfall alone once established and need no soil amendments, chemical fertilizers or herbicides. 

Approximate size: 700 square feet 

Before

After