Landscaping Spotlight: Best Plants for Coastal Properties

When it comes to landscaping along Florida’s Forgotten Coast, plant selection is everything. Coastal conditions like salt spray, sandy soils, intense sun, wind exposure, and heavy rains can quickly turn a beautiful landscape into a costly headache if the wrong plants are used.

At Joe’s Custom Lawn, we specialize in professional landscape design and installation for both residential and commercial properties throughout St. George Island, Mexico Beach, Cape San Blas, and surrounding areas. While many people know us for lawn maintenance, landscaping goes far beyond mowing grass — and the foundation of every successful outdoor space starts with choosing the right plants for the environment.

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Coastal Landscaping Is Different (And That’s a Good Thing)

Landscaping in coastal Northwest Florida isn’t about forcing plants to survive — it’s about designing landscapes that thrive naturally in their surroundings.

Coastal landscapes must account for:

• Salt exposure

• Sandy, fast-draining soil

• High heat and UV exposure

• Strong winds and storms

• Occasional flooding or standing water

When designed correctly, coastal landscapes can be low-maintenance, resilient, and visually stunning.

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Best Plant Types for Coastal Landscape Design

Rather than focusing on one-off plants, professional landscaping starts with plant categories that work together as a system.

🌴 Specialty Palms & Trees

Palms and coastal-tolerant trees create structure, shade, and visual impact.

Great options include:

• Sabal Palm (Florida native & hurricane-resilient)

• Silver Saw Palmetto

• Sylvester Palm (A great statement piece!)

• Live Oak (for larger residential or commercial properties)

• Japanese Blueberry (Great choice for privacy)

These plants anchor your landscape design and define outdoor spaces.

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🌿 Shrubs & Softscape Plants

Shrubs soften hard edges, provide privacy, and add year-round color.

Popular coastal performers:

• Sweet Viburnum

• Podocarpus

• Pittosporum

• Wax Myrtle

Using the right shrubs reduces replacement costs and long-term maintenance.

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🌱 Groundcovers & Accent Plants

Groundcovers stabilize sandy soil, reduce erosion, and eliminate bare patches.

Top coastal groundcovers include:

• Plumbago

• Blue Daze

• Lantana

• Muhly Grass

• Liriope (in protected areas)

These plants are ideal for both residential yards and commercial common areas.

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More Than Plants: Full-Service Landscaping & Landscape Design

A successful landscape isn’t just about what you plant — it’s about how everything works together.

At Joe’s Custom Lawn, we provide complete landscape solutions, including:

• ✅ Custom landscape plans

• ✅ Plant selection & installation

• ✅ Hardscapes (pavers, walkways, retaining walls)

• ✅ Outdoor seating & living spaces

• ✅ Fire pits & gathering areas

• ✅ Softscapes & specialty palms

• ✅ Irrigation system design & installation

• ✅ Irrigation wells

• ✅ Residential & commercial landscaping

• ✅ Ongoing landscape maintenance

In short — we do everything outdoors!

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Why Professional Landscape Design Matters

Many coastal landscaping problems stem from:

• Choosing plants based on appearance only

• DIY installs without soil prep or irrigation planning

• Poor drainage design

• Under- or over-watering

• Ignoring future growth and maintenance needs

Professional landscape design ensures your investment:

• Looks better

• Lasts longer

• Requires less maintenance

• Performs well in coastal conditions

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Serving Florida’s Forgotten Coast

We proudly provide landscaping and landscape design services for:

• Port St Joe

• St. George Island

• Mexico Beach

• Cape San Blas

• Indian Pass

• Apalachicola 

Whether you’re a homeowner upgrading your outdoor space or a commercial property manager maintaining curb appeal, our team brings experience, planning, and craftsmanship to every project.

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Ready to Go Beyond Lawn Maintenance?

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your outdoor space — or you’re unsure what plants will actually work on your property — we’d love to help.

📞 Contact Joe’s Custom Lawn today to schedule a landscape consultation and discover what’s possible with professional coastal landscape design.