Landscape design company in Central Florida

[NickJames]

Anyone know a good palm-centric landscaping design company in Central Florida (Volusia?)

I need to get my backyard done before I keep planting random palms everywhere LOL

I need pavers, fire pit, pergola, lighting, and obviously some irrigation re-working. And of course the plants! 
 

And thank you for allowing me to post so much this weekend!

[The Gerg]

A few years back I just had all that done. However, for me I came up with the design myself. I just hired a company to do all the hardscaping labor.  For me the planning and design is enjoyable to do.  

Having said that there is certainly nothing wrong with going with a landscape designer.  Looks like you have a nice size yard to work with.

If whoever you find is not necessarily rare palm savvy you can certainly consult your fellow Florida “palmtalkers”. 

[NickJames]

  On 2/17/2020 at 5:04 AM, The Gerg said:

A few years back I just had all that done. However, for me I came up with the design myself. I just hired a company to do all the hardscaping labor.  For me the planning and design is enjoyable to do.  

Having said that there is certainly nothing wrong with going with a landscape designer.  Looks like you have a nice size yard to work with.

If whoever you find is not necessarily rare palm savvy you can certainly consult your fellow Florida “palmtalkers”. 

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I guess my phrasing is a little off. I basically need someone to do exactly as you stated. I wish I could learn how to do pavers! Electrical part I could do but easier just to do as one bid. 
 

yes, have a huge yard - hate all the grass. I’m the only one around me with an emerald green lawn right now but that takes a lot of time and $$$. 

[The Gerg]

Got it. I THINK I am unable to do that kind of labor myself. I KNOW I am unwilling. 

I look forward to seeing your yard transformation. Make sure to document it on here for us.

[sonoranfans]

Do your own design, don't let a "palm centric" designer do it.  How do you know they are "palm centric"?  In your case I would start with grass removal at the borders, replaced by mulched garden beds.  Paver area with fire pit could be placed inside the grass area.  Grass is good near doors to keep your feet clean, otherwise it is high maintenance and does not lend it self to a cool yard temp wise.  If you are into growing palms, I'd recommend you go slowly there, just reserve the garden beds on the periphery and perhaps some areas west/ northwest of your sitting area(palm shade) as this would be direction of the most intense summer sun.   Palm shade is glorious as its still breezy environment but filters out heavy sun without making it dark.  Put palms in 3-4 at a time as yo learn what you like, and think about placement, its a most common mistake to plop them in any old spot.   I remember choosing palms that I later didnt want after I found out of the possibilities.  Investigate, see some gardens to get an idea of what you like before buying batches of palms.  Big sun loving palms like royals, bismarckias, sabals go in first, smaller shade lovers like flamethrowers go in later and in spots that get plenty of shade.  Ones that dont like constantly wet roots(bismarckia) should not be near flower gardens that are frequently watered or wet lovng palms.   Then there are high/low spots for high/lower drainage to consider.  Bismarckias do better in high spots here in florida, royals like the wet spots. Those flower bed areas and low spots should be the wet loving palms like archontophoenix, royals, satakentia, and kentiopsis O.    Comment on royals: they get huge and drop the biggest leaves that will crush anything you try to plant nearby.  You can plant other palms nearby at the same time that will help soften the fall of those branches.  But don't plan on lots of plants under a royal, as its height grows, the ground will be cleared by falling crownshafts up to 5 1/2 - 6' long and stems 15' in length.   I also wouldn't plan a sitting area right under a royal, could be hazardous.

[NickJames]

  On 2/17/2020 at 2:20 PM, sonoranfans said:

Do your own design, don't let a "palm centric" designer do it.  How do you know they are "palm centric"?  In your case I would start with grass removal at the borders, replaced by mulched garden beds.  Paver area with fire pit could be placed inside the grass area.  Grass is good near doors to keep your feet clean, otherwise it is high maintenance and does not lend it self to a cool yard temp wise.  If you are into growing palms, I'd recommend you go slowly there, just reserve the garden beds on the periphery and perhaps some areas west/ northwest of your sitting area(palm shade) as this would be direction of the most intense summer sun.   Palm shade is glorious as its still breezy environment but filters out heavy sun without making it dark.  Put palms in 3-4 at a time as yo learn what you like, and think about placement, its a most common mistake to plop them in any old spot.   I remember choosing palms that I later didnt want after I found out of the possibilities.  Investigate, see some gardens to get an idea of what you like before buying batches of palms.  Big sun loving palms like royals, bismarckias, sabals go in first, smaller shade lovers like flamethrowers go in later and in spots that get plenty of shade.  Ones that dont like constantly wet roots(bismarckia) should not be near flower gardens that are frequently watered or wet lovng palms.   Then there are high/low spots for high/lower drainage to consider.  Bismarckias do better in high spots here in florida, royals like the wet spots. Those flower bed areas and low spots should be the wet loving palms like archontophoenix, royals, satakentia, and kentiopsis O.    Comment on royals: they get huge and drop the biggest leaves that will crush anything you try to plant nearby.  You can plant other palms nearby at the same time that will help soften the fall of those branches.  But don't plan on lots of plants under a royal, as its height grows, the ground will be cleared by falling crownshafts up to 5 1/2 - 6' long and stems 15' in length.   I also wouldn't plan a sitting area right under a royal, could be hazardous.

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Thanks. Can I get away with royals in Daytona Beach just west of 95?

[sonoranfans]

Not sure royals could make it, the all time record low is 15F(1985) at the airport and they expect 20F once in ten years, that would eliminate many palms.  I would be looking at developing canopy to help cheat half a zone.  I would look at what others grow locally and then plan on bunching palms to improve their cold tolerance.  Plant some triples, they will help each other out in the cold.  I would also put some marginal palms near the firepit and use that to blunt the cold on those nights, run the firepit.  Wind block would also be a good idea so the advective cold isnt as good at cooling things off.  One group of palms should survive there to ay 20F:  livistonas, sabals(causiarum would be  nice its huge), and then you could experiment with marginal palms near the house and firepit.   Also for the first few years when they are least cold tolerant, protect them with overhead netting/frost cloth.

[Reeverse]

Here are some Royals in Port Orange East of 95. Haven't seen any long term survivors west of 95 in the Daytona area. LPGA is a cold spot so it will take some work to get most crown shafted palms to survive long term. Coastal Volsia hasn't seen 20f since the 80's so we can grow tons of stuff. The statistics always cause concern for "Daytona" but it has been quite warm for awhile. 

[NickJames]

  On 2/18/2020 at 2:11 AM, Reeverse said:

Here are some Royals in Port Orange East of 95. Haven't seen any long term survivors west of 95 in the Daytona area. LPGA is a cold spot so it will take some work to get most crown shafted palms to survive long term. Coastal Volsia hasn't seen 20f since the 80's so we can grow tons of stuff. The statistics always cause concern for "Daytona" but it has been quite warm for awhile. 

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Why IS LPGA a cold spot? Do you think once my phase of Mosaic is built out, it’ll generate some warmth? Lol

[Reeverse]

That far west you lose alot of the coastal warmth.  Most winter nights you will be 5-8 degrees colder than just a couple miles east. Sounds crazy but I lived out near the Jail for a couple years of 92 and it is a cold pocket. Which makes a huge difference. The winters we have had since you moved there havnt even been cold yet. Just a bit more protection and you'll be fine