Dan Ford & Associates in Vero Beach Florida was requested to prepare an oceanfront landscaping plan for a client who had purchased 4 1/2 acres on the east coast in South Central Florida.

Although oceanfront landscaping plans are fairly normal for this firm to design, the fact that this large project site would have to be totally landscaped was a challenge. The cultural conditions in this seaside environment limited the planting palette somewhat as this site was subject to frequent storms coming off the ocean and routine hurricane events were sure to be experienced.

The clients were planning on hosting their adult children and many grandchildren and friends at various times during the winter season. This made entertainment activities a high priority. A nearly 4,ooo square foot swimming pool with an interactive waterfall that contained a grotto and interior slides were planned for. A croquet court was placed near the ocean for use by those who liked to participate in that game.

A pathway would traverse the entire property and could be used by a golf carts and joggers or simply by those wishing to stroll the gardens.  These pathways ranged from the oceanside and moved inland past the swimming pool, and then onto a large pond with its waterfalls and then onward to an elevated hammock that will contain the more exotic vegetation because of it’s remote and protected location. After traversing these hammock gardens,the trails move towards the opposite side of the property and then terminates oceanside again.

Various fountains and strong landscape elements are placed throughout the property to interest residents and visitors alike.

Although the property is large and there are considerable landscaped grounds to maintain, the plant palette and overall landscape design was geared to keep maintenance issues to a minimum.

Rain water was to be captured and directed by gutter and surface flow to replenish the main pond system which would use that water and subsidized by a well system. The pond is to be used for irrigation of the landscaped grounds.

All in all, this was a very successful beachfront landscape design  and although many of the concept elements shown on the attached plan were changed, eliminated or altered, the finished landscape is being enjoyed by the family and friends.