Local landscapes are characterized by cycles of life, death and rebirth—hurricane winds tatter foliage and extreme temperature swings cause blooms to shrivel. As the go-to resource for the ultra-sustainable Babcock Ranch community, Owl Creek Landscape Nursery’s George Marohn knows how to navigate these obstacles. After 30 years in the business, he orchestrates compositions of resilient plants that don’t just survive climate extremes—they thrive in our subtropical setting.
A benchmark for holistic, sustainable living, the 20,000-home community Babcock Ranch calls for 75% of all trees and shrubs to be native throughout its landscapes. When residents need to restock, they turn to Owl Creek’s George Marohn. The industry veteran says endemic plants are naturally resilient—and a solid base of them will serve you well—but you don’t have to limit your palette so strictly. Any Florida-friendly plant—salt-, sun- and wind-resistant vegetation that feeds a healthy ecosystem—provides texture while maintaining ecological harmony. Marohn says plants with sturdy bases fare better against environmental stressors and can bolster lawns against erosion. Consider RED FOUNTAIN GRASS (below), which has an intricate root system that anchors into sandy soil. “The root system on grass is one of the best soil stabilizers there is,” he says. AGAVE (below) withstands intense sun and heat with minimal watering, and its pointed leaves can grow up to 6 feet long.

Photography by Ann Nguyen
Red Fountain Grass

Photography by Anna Nguyen
Agave
Native MUHLY GRASS’ (below) flexible fronds bend, rather than break, against harsh winds, providing healthy ground cover. Marohn likes to group the grasses, which can grow to be 3 feet tall, into swaying beds to balance stouter features, like agave and mature palm trunks, in a landscape.

Photography by Anna Nguyen
Muhly Grass
Colorful, Florida-friendly blooms brighten the muted tones of native flora. “You just have to be creative,” Marohn says. “We can use small amounts of non-natives for those little bursts of color.” Resilient flowers, like 1. NEW GOLD, 2. HIBISCUS, 3. MOSS ROSE, 4. BABY SUN ROSE, 5. BLANKET FLOWER, 6. TREASURE FLOWER and 7. CROWN OF THORNS, thrive in intense sun, heat and drought. Their fiery hues create contrast when tucked between shrubby natives. Arrange them in curved, organic patterns to evoke the warmth of a Gulf sunset.
A stunning alternative to omnipresent clusia, 8. SILVER BUTTONWOOD (above) makes for an excellent privacy wall. Perfect for Florida, the shrub tolerates prolonged droughts and can handle having ‘wet feet, (a.k.a. standing in soggy soil) during rainy summers. The velvety foliage adds a layer of softness to a garden.
Marohn advocates for a dynamic mix of vegetation that can withstand hostile weather. The shallow roots of a PRICKLY PEAR (below) swiftly soak up rainfall, which it stores in its rounded, thorn-adorned pads to use during dry spells. KING SAGO PALM (below) is crowned by a lush bouquet of pointed fronds, with a sturdy trunk that holds up against forceful winds.
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Photography by Anna Nguyen
Prickly Pear
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Photography by Anna Nguyen
King Sago Palm
Wind-resistant foliage acts as a barrier against storms for homes and gardens. Native SEAGRAPES capture sand, stabilizing beaches, curbing erosion and protecting inland areas. With their leaves spanning up to 10 inches in diameter, these coastal guardians shield delicate surrounding blooms while feeding wildlife with tangy, bite-sized fruits (which also make for an excellent jelly). The trees don’t mind salty air or soil, making them incredibly versatile. Plant a row as a privacy screen, use one as a sculptural focal point in driveways or place a group in a meditation garden for cooling shade. “You can put a seagrape anywhere,” Marohn says.

Photography by Anna Nguyen
Seagrape
BOUGAINVILLEA is a familiar sight in Southwest Florida gardens, but thoughtful placement can transform it into an architectural statement. Train the drought-tolerant climber as a living partition for outdoor rooms, let it cascade from upper-story planters or use it to create ascending color blocks on a facade. The vibrant fuchsia plant adds striking contrast and requires minimal water. With peak blooms in fall and winter, bougainvillea’s natural cycle of dormancy and renewal introduces a seasonal rhythm to the landscape.

Photography by Anna Nguyen
Bougainvillea
Plants provided by Fort Myers’ Owl Creek Landscape Nursery and Scott’s Landscape Nursery
Photography by Anna Nguyen