Crepe Myrtle Pruning

It's Winter time in Florida, so it's time to prune the Crepe Myrtles. There are many misconceptions when it comes to this practice, and the phrase 'Crape Murder' comes to mind. Many like to chop off all the branches  back to a nub or 'knuckle' in an attempt at pollarding. The object of pruning, however, is to provide a cleaner appearance and to promote a healthy architecture of branches to support the heavy flower pods that will be prevalent in the summer. I have shown here an example of a specimen that has been trained over the past several years to demonstrate this practice.

2010- How I found the specimen. 

2011- First prune. Removed some center 'leaders' and promoted branching.

2012- developing branch architecture

2013- After 3 full seasons , the difference is apparent

Cart barn Hollies

 It has taken some time, but these specimens of East Palatka Holly have finally come into their own. After some aggressive pruning and allowing them to grow out and cautiously shape them to train the plant architecture, they are almost in scale with the building. The plants were full to the ground and only about 8' tall in 2010. I lifted the bottoms up to about 30 inches and the plants are over 12' in height overall.Here are some before and after shots to appreciate the drastic change that has occurred slowly over time.

April 2010

January 2013

April 2010

January 2013

Pool Entrance

How I found it in March 2010

Renovation July 2011

This was an area we addressed during the course renovation in 2011. The original Agapanthus I selected did well in the winter and spring, but suffered from the heat in the summer time. This was replaced today with Arbicola 'Trinette' which should provide color and interest with its foliage, as well as be easy to maintain.

Original installation

January 2013, with new Arbicola 'Trinette'

View from above

Tennis Facility Grand Opening

Today the club will be celebrating the official grand opening of the tennis facility with a party tonight for the members. I hope everyone enjoys the new amenities.

Winter Annuals 2013

I like to install the winter annuals just after the New Year for several reasons. The first being it is time to replace the Poinsettias that have been on property since before Thanksgiving. This also lets us beat mother nature to the punch and replace some of the autumn color that has been in the ground since early October and is cold sensitive. Here in Tampa, we don't usually get a damaging freeze until later in the winter. By already having our flowers in, we avoid the high demand and limited availability when a freeze does occur and everyone has to replace their plants.  Another reason is that it allows some grow in time so that when the Gasparilla Tournament rolls around in late February, our plants have an established and mature presence. 

Sunrise delivery!

The view from the 19th hole.

#18 green walk up.

Dusty Miller

White Tee walk-up to #11

Ball washer at Blue tee entrance to #11

I had Dusty Miller perennials installed at several beds around the course that are less than ideal sites for annuals and other seasonal color because of high traffic and insufficient irrigation. They have proven quite durable and give a contrast to the green foliage and turf. I will try 'Duck's foot' Coleus in the summer for these same areas. 

#1 Tee Box Hedge Extension

Delivery

Place flags for location of the plants and digging of the holes.

In the ground, safe and sound.

We recently added 4 new 8' x 8'  Ligustrum Japonica shrubs along the tee box adjacent to the parking lot. This should add a little more screening of outside traffic noise and disturbances at the opening hole of the course. 

Got the time?

Creating the new landscape bed for the new clock.

First planting of winter pink geraniums.

Summer 2012 saw 'Victoria Blue' Salvia.

White geraniums for the current winter season.

#11 Bathroom complex

The now iconic 'Desert Cassia' tree as you approach the bathroom complex at #11.

The view coming in from #16 tee side.

#10 Tee Box

'Victoria Blue' Salvia and white Lantana were selected for the autumn seasonal color .

Several weddings and receptions enjoyed the vista of  flowers.

Looking back across the tee box to the fitness center.

Tennis Renovation

Sylvester Palms at the north entrance of the club.

Ready for patrons.

'Little Gem' Magnolias line the cart path along court #1.

The newest cultivar of Zoysia grass called 'Diamond'. 

Holiday Curb Appeal

Delivery day!

Entrance at MacDill Avenue.

New Year's at the Turn Stand.