Diary of a Gardener Buzzing with Beauty
As I drive around town, I can't help but notice how every home's landscaping looks nearly identical. I call it the "Standard Florida Landscaping" (SFL), also known as "HOA Landscaping" because many homeowners' associations prefer uniformity. The result? A lack of diversity that creates a haven for pests and diseases—and, frankly, it's just boring.
The number one complaint I hear from clients is: “I miss color. I miss flowers.”
Beyond an overabundance of crotons (which are colorful but overused) and Ixoras (which don’t look great in winter), most HOA landscapes lack vibrant blooms, pollinators, or any real ecological benefit. Instead, we see the same old “green meatball” and “green meatloaf” shrubs (a personal pet peeve), repeated in every yard. To make matters worse, many seasonal residents—who only spend winter here—miss out on seeing flowers because their HOA-approved plants don’t bloom during their stay.
But what if I told you you CAN have flowers and pollinators in your HOA landscape—without breaking the rules?
A few small changes—keeping some crotons, shifting Ixoras to the side of the house, and adding colorful annuals or perennial borders—can elevate your curb appeal while also feeding bees and attracting butterflies for you to enjoy. That’s right—you can have your cake and butterflies too!
Plants That Add Beauty & Ecological Value (While Staying HOA-Friendly!)
Walter’s Viburnum – A Florida native shrub with small white flowers that attract bees and other pollinators.
Blue Plumbago – A soft, mounding shrub with sky-blue flowers.
Thryallis – A vase-shaped shrub with bright yellow flowers.
Silver Buttonwood – Stunning blue-green foliage with burgundy berries that feed birds.
For small landscapes, try:
Coontie – Adds amazing texture and is the host plant for the Atala butterfly.
Darrows Blueberry – A compact, light-green shrub with pink tips in full sun. It blooms small white flowers before producing edible blueberries for you or the birds.
No room for wildflowers? No problem! Flowers like Angelonia, Salvia, Snapdragons, and Geraniums still attract bees and butterflies while adding bursts of color.
Join Me for a Hands-On Workshop!
📅 Buzzing with Beauty: Creating Your Florida Pollinator Garden
📍 My garden | 🕙 March 8th, 10 AM - 12 PM
🌱 Learn how to select the best pollinator plants.
🌼 Get hands-on experience in the garden.
🌿 Take home four 1-gallon pollinator plants to start your own vibrant landscape!
💰 Cost: $40 | Reserve your spot here!
I can’t wait to see you there!
