Seagrape II

Dane Spencer landscape architect redesigns a Sarasota neighborhood entrance with a new land form and native plants.

Replacing invasive Brazilian Red Peppers with a showcase of native plantings provides habitat for indigenous wildlife

Seagrape II is a vacant lot with a six-foot earthen berm that was overgrown with a category I invasive species: Brazilian Red Pepper. Once the Red Pepper was removed, the unsightly earthen berm became predominant.

Solution

The earthen berm is 20 feet back from the property line. This area between the property line and to the top of the earthen berm has been filled, creating a landform in the form of a wedge. This allows for the elevation of native plants to help create a sound and visual barrier to the heavily traveled adjacent road. This wonderful display of color and texture is a demonstration of how beautiful native plants are in the landscape. Low Maintenance. Low Water.

• 95% native plants create wonderful native wildlife habitat, are low maintenance and require very little water once established.

• By filling in the area to the top of the existing berm, a pleasing land-form has been created. It also acts as a sound barrier and provides privacy to the future residence.
• This major planting design anchors the intersection of Siesta Drive and Seagrape, creating a landmark, an identity and gateway for the existing neighborhood.