Fort Myers • Lee County
Plant & Shrub Installation in Fort Myers, FL
Watering rules shape a new Fort Myers bed as much as plant choice does. The South Florida Water Management District's year-round rule allows extra watering for up to 90 days after new landscaping goes in, but a whole zone may be run only when at least half of it is newly planted; otherwise only the new plants may be watered. Inside city limits, irrigation is not allowed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., so establishment watering has to fit early mornings or evenings. With those limits in mind, Hodges leans on Florida-Friendly shrubs that settle in without constant attention, such as firebush, cocoplum, coontie, and Simpson's stopper, and sets each root ball at or slightly above grade. Lot size matters too. Homes in Dean Park and Dunbar often sit close to the sidewalk, so a shrub that matures at eight feet wide will swallow a porch or walkway within a few summers. Choosing plants by their mature size saves years of shearing.
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Where it comes up in Fort Myers
Dunbar
Edison Park
Allen Park
Plants and materials that suit it in Fort Myers
Questions
How long can new plants get extra water under the rules?
The water management district's rule allows additional watering for up to 90 days after installation, with more days permitted in the first 30. Confirm how the City of Fort Myers ordinance applies it before changing your controller.
Can I hand-water new shrubs in the middle of the day?
The district rule exempts hand watering with a hose that has an automatic shut-off nozzle, and micro-irrigation. The city's 9-to-5 ban is aimed at irrigation systems, but check the city's water restrictions page if you are unsure.
Which shrubs work in a small front yard close to the street?
Compact plants such as coontie, dwarf firebush selections, and blue daze stay in scale with small lots. Larger screening shrubs like cocoplum are better along side property lines where they have room to spread.