While the Village works on beautifying the common grounds, you too can contribute to the beauty of Highland Park by making some changes in your own yard.
Choose appropriate plants
Highland Park is in zone 9A, which means that our average minimum temperature is 20-25 degrees Farenheit. Choose plants and seeds that are suggested for this zone. Also take into consideration the current drought. Select plants that are designated "water wise" or "drought tolerant."
Attract Wildlife to Your Yard
To attract butterflies plant bright colored nectar flowers. Birds are attracted by seeds and berries. Birds also look for habitat like trees and shrubs to perch and nest in. For hummingbirds plant red tubular flowers. Control cats and dogs; small animals and birds are often afraid to make their homes within predators' territory.
Plant Native
Native plants were present at the time of the first European contact in Florida, when the Spanish landed. These plants are naturally occuring in the region or ecosystem which makes them hardy and low maintenance. Native species are available at most home stores and nurseries.
Use Shade Trees
Position trees strategically to improve your home's heating and cooling capacity. Shade can reduce a/c costs by an estimated 50%. Be careful not to block airflow around a/c units, and be wary of planting around homes with gutters. Trees also help with erosion control, and help eliminate air polution.
Avoid Invasives
The State of FL prohibits planting of these species:
- Brazilian Pepper
- Australian Pine
- Melaleuca
- Carrot Wood
- Chinese Tallow
- Downy Rose Myrtle
Other common invasives include:
- Camphor Tree
- Lantana
- Sword/Boston Fern
- Orchid Tree
- Asparagus Fern
- Queen Palm
- Oyster Plant
- Cherry Laurel (berries are actually poisonous to humans and grazing animals)
Mulch
Mulching 2-3 inches helps to reduce evaporation, insulate soil, and inhibit weed growth. Organic mulch materials improve soil fertility as they decompose. Consider using pine bark mulch instead of cypress. Cypress mulch is often made from trees harvested in wetlands where they were growing wild, meaning destruction of wetlands.
Prune, Re-plant, Transplant
Planting is typically done in the Spring and Fall in Florida. During winter months there is not much rain to help new plants get established, and during summer months the heat is often too much for unestablished plants to bear. Prune azaleas and camelias directly after bloom. Prune and transplant shrubs at the end of winter just before their dormancy season ends.
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