What “Layering” Means in Landscape Layering arranges plants from tallest in back to shortest in front, mixing color, texture, and form so the eye flows naturally across the bed. Think of it like composing a photo: background (tall), midground (medium), foreground...
Light the Night: Custom Landscape Lighting for Sarasota, North Port & Venice
If you love your yard by day, you’ll adore it after dark. Troy Tropics designs and installs custom landscape lighting that highlights your favorite trees, brightens walkways, and creates a warm, inviting space for evening gatherings—all with top-tier, Florida-tough...
Jamaican Cherry (Muntingia calabura): A Sweet Little Fruit Tree for Sarasota Yards
If you’re hunting for an easy, fast-growing fruit tree with year-round charm, Jamaican Cherry (Muntingia calabura) is a gem. This small evergreen delivers vibrant white flowers and loads of sweet, cherry-like red fruits that kids (and songbirds) adore. It’s a natural...
Christmas Palm (Adonidia merrillii) — Sarasota Design & Care Guide
Christmas Palm (Adonidia merrillii) — Sarasota Design & Care Guide Compact, elegant, and holiday-ready. Also called Manila Palm, Christmas Palm shows a smooth gray trunk, graceful arching fronds, and cheerful red fruit clusters in winter—perfect for entries, pool...
Coastal Comeback on Lido Key: Restoring a Historic Landscape After Salt Damage
Summary: “A historic Lido Key home was hammered by storm surge and salt. We protected the architecture, salvaged what could rebound, replanted with coastal-tough performers, rebuilt the beds with a layered design, and finished with fresh shell for a clean, historic...
Juncus Grass (Juncus effusus) — Sarasota Design, Care & Rain-Garden Guide
Turn soggy spots into statement pieces. Juncus Grass brings bold, upright lines to modern landscapes, rain gardens, and pond edges—especially where soil stays consistently moist to wet. Quick answer— Is Juncus right for your Sarasota yard? Yes if you have wet areas....
Bougainvillea ‘Coconut Ice’: Cool, Classy, and Florida-Friendly
Meet Coconut Ice: Subtle Beauty With a Tropical Twist Looking for a softer, more sophisticated bougainvillea? Coconut Ice is your answer. With its creamy white bracts, it delivers the beauty of a bougie without the bold, loud colors. She’s a perfect pick for: Coastal...
Bougainvillea ‘Delta Dawn’: A Soft Sunset Stunner for Florida Gardens
Meet Delta Dawn: Where Pastel Meets Power Looking for a bougainvillea with sunset tones and standout foliage? Say hello to Delta Dawn—a gorgeous cultivar that blends soft gold, pink, and green into a plant that’s both graceful and garden-tough. With its creamy...
Bougainvillea ‘Blueberry Ice’: A Cool Classic for Sarasota Landscapes
Meet Blueberry Ice: The Coolest Bougie on the Block If you're craving something bold but balanced, Blueberry Ice delivers. With its dramatic purple-violet bracts, variegated green-and-cream leaves, and compact growth habit, this cultivar offers a unique twist on the...
Bougainvillea ‘Barbara Karst’: Sarasota’s Showstopper for Year-Round Color
Meet Barbara Karst: Your Garden's Bold Best Friend If you’re dreaming of a garden that pops, Barbara Karst bougainvillea might just be your perfect match. Native to South America and adored across Southwest Florida, this fast-growing vine explodes with vivid...