Cass Cay Restaurant

Ozark Stone 2 x2'

This snap cut Ozark stone is a rare find in FL but a product I readily used in NE Indiana. The applications are limitless; driveways, patios, benches, cap stones and
step pads to name a few.  I was happy to find these pieces in the boneyard at work this week, we will be using them to create two landings outside pool cage doors, love them took a million years to make and a million years to break.

Landscaping Before

New Design

Side Before

Transplanted Hibiscus Provide Pool Privacy

Sold this job on New Years Eve, the house was built as a spec home then sold.  The new owners added a swimming pool and extended the lanai which required landscaping.  The original landscaping around the front was a stuffed hodge-podge plants and weeds.  Rearrangement of the existing plant material and the addition of a few more plants gave this new home solid curb appeal.



Unloading At The Job



The men come well prepared and work hard to get the job done effectively and efficiently.  In this instance two trucks rolled up for this job each loaded with soil,

plants, tree carts, native boulders and pine bark nuggets.                                        

Pygmy Date Palms




Pygmy Date Palms are a versatile palm that grows to about 10 -12 feet tall, it grows well in full sun but tolerates some shade as well.  The pygmy like many other palms is available in many forms.  Single stem, double, triple and even quads.  They transplant well and can be used in smaller spaces.  They do have some thorns, you want to plant them about six feet from structures.                                                              

                          

Big Native Boulders

  Building a new house is not without it's problems from Indiana to Florida I have witnessed that things don't always turn out how one plans.  A house that was originally designed to be built on stilts ended up with a stem wall instead, this change now requires retaining walls.  I visited this site and was told by the two women who are having the house built that their builder suggested they could construct their own retaining walls using these boulders, even offered his skid loader to help.  The size and shape of these boulders will make it difficult for even the most experienced mason or stone worker to build a proper wall.  Makes me wonder how a guy like that stays in business. 

Strutting Stork

        
This stork was strutting his stuff around a pond where I was taking some measurements, last week an egret landed within three feet of where I was talking to some customers and stood next to us for a few moments as if part of the conversation.  I heard of a birding location near Venice called The Celery Fields going to check that our when I have a chance.

Canary Island Date Chimney

Got to love this Canary Island Date that pokes its head out of the roof of Cass Cay Restaurant in Burnt Store Marina. The deck and roof are build around the majestic palm that appears to be thriving in this environment.




   Great Blue Heron
                                                                        
Captured this pole sitter waiting for a handout at the Cass Cay Restaurant.  Finding new eateries and locations to explore is part of the fun of moving somewhere new.

Florida Landscape Design

Baxter Digs His Hammock

                                            
Busy, busy, busy I am used to a landscaping season Florida just flip flops the time of year making this job my first steady winter gig in years.  Sure doesn't seem like winter with sunny skies and salt in the air, doubt that I will ever miss shoveling snow.

Garden Space Before Photo

                                           

Transformation In Progress

                                              
This was a fun design project, I have always been extremely fond of designing small spaces. It is a pleasure to work with a client who has the ability to see the vision and the good sense to let a designer lead the way.  The paver walk will unite the spaces in the backyard.

Before Photo Behind The Pool Cage

                              

No More Mowing

                                                   


Pavers install a bit easier in Florida, using the triangle of concrete as edging really locks in the sides, a little more difficult to hide but mulch works well.

Raphael Mulching Among The Crape Myrtle

                                 


Landscaping really changed the look of this house, the finishing touches of a make over that began almost two years ago.  A new design for the entire backyard and a
complete foundation planting of the road side, now screams curb appeal.

Clean Lines And Great Color, Oh Yeah

                                
Designing in Florida has it's challenges, I am still experiencing a learning curve. Having a great support team at Hazeltine Nurseries,  sharing ideas with five skilled designers, cad techs, an extremely knowledgeable nursery staff and  dedicated, professional installation crews makes for a smooth transition.  Hooray Hazelteam!



We Got It All

                                                      

Ready To Party

                                                       
Today Sean and crew will be on site to finish up some odds and ends on this project.  The clients have added on and tweaked a bit more to achieve the look they have dreamed about. They are having a bit of a battle with Florida's large birds of prey feasting on the fishes in their pond, the fake gator doesn't seem  to fool the cranes and herons.

Charm And Balance

A new paint job and landscaping all four sides of the house increase the charm of this canal side home in Port Charlotte.  Beds that were once full of weeds, dead or over grown shrubs are now filled with colorful, proven winner plants that will grow quickly and be easy to maintain.  Getting the irrigation system up and running again required a new pump and a major overhaul but ace technician Tony was up to the task. I can't wait to see this one fill in.

Ixora Will Add Drama

We transplanted the big Pony Tail Palm on the right side and extended the bed to include the existing Queen Palm on the left.  The clients work and travel so stone
and weed barrier were installed to keep down the chores, they love the new look.
The pool deck concrete wall is a dark gray and soon the newly planted white Ixora will stand out with glorious blooms against the background.