Tired of high water bills and weekend yard work that never ends? In Bexley, your landscape can look great and stay resilient with the right plants and a simple plan. You live with sandy soils, hot summers, and occasional watering limits, so Florida‑Friendly choices make a real difference. In this guide, you will find easy plant picks, irrigation tips, and a quick checklist tailored to Bexley. Let’s dive in.
What Florida‑Friendly means in Bexley
Florida‑Friendly Landscaping follows nine science‑backed principles that help you save water, protect local waterways, and cut maintenance. Get an overview of the principles from the UF/IFAS program, including plant selection and irrigation basics, in the official guide to the nine principles.
Your yard sits in a humid subtropical climate with summer rain and mild winters. Parts of New Port Richey map along the USDA boundary of Zones 9b to 10a, which affects marginal tropicals. If you are pushing tropical varieties, confirm your microclimate on the USDA hardiness zone map.
Bexley soils are mostly sandy with low organic matter, so they drain fast and nutrients leach quickly. UF/IFAS recommends soil testing and adding organic matter before major plantings. Learn the basics in this guide to Florida’s sandy soils and amendments.
Local watering rules can shift during dry periods. The regional water district has implemented once‑per‑week schedules in recent years. Check current guidance from the district’s watering restrictions update and see local notices such as the City of Port Richey’s watering shortage order extension. Follow any reclaimed water schedules that apply to your home.
Start with right plant, right place
Match plants to sun, soil, and wind exposure. Group beds by water needs. Place shade‑tolerant plants on the north side and drought‑tolerant ones near the street where heat reflects from pavement.
Trees that earn their keep
- Live oak provides strong shade and has good wind performance. See UF/IFAS guidance on wind‑resistant trees.
- Sabal palm is a Florida native with excellent wind and salt tolerance that fits coastal influence.
- Southern magnolia offers evergreen structure and seasonal blooms, with solid wind resistance.
Plant large trees with adequate rooting space and away from structures. Have a certified arborist inspect and prune before storm season to reduce risk.
Shrubs that thrive here
- Yaupon holly is evergreen, drought tolerant, and comes in compact cultivars that suit foundations. See the UF/IFAS profile for yaupon holly.
- Simpson’s stopper works as a hedge or small tree, tolerates varied soils, and supports birds.
- Firebush delivers bright blooms for pollinators, handles heat, and needs little once established. Learn more about firebush.
Groundcovers and ornamental grasses
- Coontie is a tough native cycad that handles shade and drought, and supports the Atala butterfly.
- Pink muhly grass brings airy fall color, thrives in sandy sites, and looks great massed. Get a quick look at muhly grass.
- Beach sunflower and native sedges fill sunny beds and require minimal irrigation once established.
Turf that fits your lifestyle
Use turf only where you will play or walk often. Bahia and hybrid Bermudagrass can be water‑wise choices in the right setting. St. Augustine is common but typically needs more inputs. For turf areas, follow UF/IFAS guidance in the Florida‑Friendly overview of plant selection and maintenance.
Water efficiently under local rules
Design your yard to thrive on deep, infrequent watering, especially during restrictions.
- Use drip or microirrigation in plant beds and rotary nozzles on turf.
- Set a weather‑based smart controller and install a working rain sensor.
- Water only on your assigned day and within legal hours. Check the district’s current watering restrictions update and any local notices like the City of Port Richey order.
- Adjust for reclaimed water schedules if your home uses it.
Improve sandy soil and mulch well
Sandy soils drain fast and lose nutrients. A little preparation goes a long way.
- Test your soil before you fertilize, then apply only what is needed.
- Add compost in planting holes and bed areas to boost water holding.
- Mulch 2 to 4 inches to reduce evaporation and weeds, keeping mulch a few inches from trunks and stems. Learn how sandy soils respond to amendments in UF/IFAS guidance on soil and water management.
Slow and store stormwater
Keep rain on site so it can soak in and nourish your plants.
- Direct downspouts into beds, a rain barrel, or a properly sized rain garden.
- Shape shallow swales that guide water through planted areas instead of across the driveway.
- Choose moisture‑tolerant natives for rain gardens, then mulch to limit erosion.
Design ideas for common Bexley spaces
Small front yard curb appeal
- Structure: one small canopy tree or large shrub like Simpson’s stopper, plus a row of muhly grass.
- Color: firebush near the mailbox or entry for pollinators and seasonal interest.
- Water: drip line through beds, 2 to 4 inches of mulch, and a smart controller.
Narrow side yard that bakes
- Groundcover: coontie or native sedges to reduce turf.
- Accent: a few drought‑tolerant shrubs such as yaupon holly dwarf cultivars.
- Water: microirrigation with emitters at the base of plants, mulch to hold moisture.
Low spot or near‑water area
- Plants: moisture‑tolerant natives like buttonbush, pickerelweed, and native grasses.
- Layout: a shallow rain garden sized to roof area with an overflow path away from the house.
- Maintenance: seasonal cutback and mulch refresh to maintain infiltration.
Bexley quick checklist
- Confirm your watering day and hours, including any reclaimed water rules.
- Test your soil before fertilizing, then add compost where needed.
- Pick three reliable trees or shrubs: live oak, sabal palm, yaupon holly.
- Add three pollinator winners: firebush, pink muhly grass, coontie.
- Install a rain barrel and direct at least one downspout into a bed or rain garden.
- Set up a smart controller and rain sensor, then check settings monthly.
- Avoid invasive plants and choose Florida‑Friendly species from UF/IFAS lists.
Maintenance that protects our water
Fertilize only when a soil test shows a need, and avoid heavy rain periods or local blackout windows. Keep a 10 foot buffer from any surface water and sweep any granules off hard surfaces. The UF/IFAS overview of Florida‑Friendly practices is a helpful refresher for fertilizer, irrigation, and plant care.
Choose pest‑resistant plants and encourage beneficial insects. If you need treatment, use targeted, least‑toxic options. Skip known invasive species so your landscape does not spread problems to natural areas.
Ready to boost curb appeal and value?
A Florida‑Friendly landscape can lower maintenance, look great year round, and make your home stand out when it hits the market. If you want help prioritizing updates before you list or you are searching for a home with low‑maintenance outdoor space, reach out to Vickie Mitchell for local guidance that fits your goals.
FAQs
What plants survive Bexley’s sandy soil and heat?
- Choose natives and well‑adapted picks like live oak, sabal palm, yaupon holly, firebush, coontie, and pink muhly grass. They handle heat, seasonal drought, and our fast‑draining soils once established.
How often can I water my lawn in Bexley right now?
- Rules change with conditions. Pasco has seen once‑per‑week schedules during shortages. Check the regional water district and Pasco County notices, then set your controller to match your assigned day and hours.
Should I remove my entire lawn to save water?
- Not necessarily. Keep turf where you need play or pet space and convert low‑use areas to mulched beds with drip irrigation. Phasing your conversion makes HOA approvals and budgeting easier.
What soil prep should I do before planting in Pasco?
- Test your soil first, then add compost to planting holes or beds to improve water holding. Mulch 2 to 4 inches, keeping it away from trunks, and irrigate deeply while plants establish.
Which plants attract pollinators without becoming invasive?
- Use Florida native nectar and host plants such as firebush, coontie, beautyberry, and muhly grass. Avoid species listed as invasive by state resources and stick with UF/IFAS Florida‑Friendly recommendations.
