Communities

Change is the only inevitability. We see it in the metamorphosis of insects, the too-quick growth of our children, the gray in our hair. From one moment to the next, the cells that comprise our bodies are shifting, changing, dying, regenerating. The planet changes too, in cyclical patterns or abruptly, suddenly, and occasionally catastrophically. Often, this is too subtle for us to notice or the changes move at the pace of stones and therefore escape us. In our efforts to grasp the changing world, we create maps, models, lists and diagrams. What is a hardiness map?As a tool for understanding,… Read More »

This article is adapted from https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/yaupon-holly.html to give AIP residents ideas for plants to incorporate into their Florida Friendly Landscapes. It is part of efforts by the Environmental Resources Committee to provide information to our residents. Add wildlife interest and winter color to your yard with yaupon holly, one of the most durable and adaptable of the small-leaved evergreen hollies for Florida landscapes. CharacteristicsLike many other hollies, yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is an evergreen shrub or tree that is loved for the colorful berries it produces on the female plants. Yaupon is dioecious which means that male and female flowers… Read More »

What the homeowner can and must do to prevent possible damage in your yard and on your home and buildings Study your yard and see if there is anything that you can do before you call an expert, be it your landscape company or an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)-certified arborist. It is important that you seek out an ISA-certified arborist when dealing with your trees. In your landscape you may find dead or broken limbs and even plants that need only a trim with hand clippers or a pull out of the landscape. Homeowner, do you ever walk around… Read More »

Weeds are opportunists. Give them an inch and they will take a yard! (Pun intended.) They seem to be everywhere and the seeds are always left in the soil for the next season, especially with the abundance of rain and the warm/hot, muggy weather we have been having. A weed is a plant that’s out of place. They compete with desirable plants for nutrients, water, light, and space. They usually are not attractive and are summer or winter season plants. Ways to prevent weeds from invading a lawn or landscape are proper cultural practices such as “Right plant, right place.” A… Read More »

Amelia Island Plantation is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9A All plants need nutrients to grow. Plants usually get nutrients from the soil, but sometimes supplemental nutrients help them thrive. Proper fertilization enhances growth, increases flowering or fruiting, corrects nutritional deficiencies, and enhances the plant’s appearance. Improper fertilization can cause damage to plants and the environment. Fertilize according to UF/IFAS recommended rates and application timings to prevent nutrient runoff and leaching which can pollute Florida’s waters. Always follow the fertilizer label directions. Be sure to follow any local fertilizer ordinances and ensure your landscape professional is a licensed fertilizer applicator. Your… Read More »