Beach Oasis Install: Home of the Wild Margarita

The Don Oasis beach installation is designed for both beauty and function, incorporating edible and ornamental plants that thrive in the coastal environment. This space will transform over time into a lush, abundant oasis. For this project we imported 12 tons of sand!

Key Features of the Design

• Jamaican Cherry (Muntingia calabura): Chosen for its ability to thrive in pots while producing sweet, cotton candy-flavored cherries multiple times a year. It also provides shade and enhances the tropical aesthetic.
• Bananas & Papaya: Selected for their shallow roots and broad leaves, which contribute to the tropical feel while helping retain moisture in the soil.
• Erosion Control: A mix of grasses and ground covers helps stabilize the sandy soil, preventing washout and improving overall durability.
• Edible Ground Covers: Native strawberries were planted to provide an edible, low-maintenance ground cover that will spread naturally over time.
• Pollinator-Friendly Plants: Chosen especially for the shower area, where moisture-loving ground covers will attract beneficial insects and enhance the ecosystem.

Oasis Plant List

Middle and Right Drains

1. Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
   • Purpose: Adds ornamental color and texture, especially in fall with its striking pink plumes.
   • Likes: Full sun, well-drained soil, drought-tolerant.
   • Placement: Left and right sides of the drains.
2. Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
   • Purpose: Provides erosion control, height, and structure.
   • Likes: Full sun, wet to moist soil.
   • Placement: Top of the drain.
3. Ground Covers:
   • Right Drain: Beach Magnolia (Ficus repens) for ground stabilization and greenery.
   • Middle Drain & Top of Drain: Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) for erosion control, nitrogen-fixing, and attracting pollinators.

Edge of Canal

1. Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
   • Purpose: Pollinator-friendly, erosion control, and vibrant blooms.
   • Likes: Full sun, sandy soil, drought-tolerant.
   • Placement: Along the canal wall.
2. Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata)
   • Purpose: Stabilizes sandy soil, ideal for coastal environments.
   • Likes: Full sun, well-drained sandy soils, salt-tolerant.
   • Placement: Along the canal wall and in the shower area near the future boat slip.

Shower Area

1. Frog Fruit (Phyla nodiflora)
   • Purpose: Ground cover, erosion control, attracts pollinators.
   • Likes: Full to partial sun, tolerates wet and sandy conditions.
2. Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
   • Purpose: Spreading ground cover, erosion control, salt-tolerant.
   • Likes: Full sun, sandy soil, drought-tolerant.
   • Placement: Center of the shower area with a 20 ft spread.

Right of Stairs

Adam’s Needle (Yucca filamentosa)

• Purpose: Drought-tolerant accent plant adding structure.
• Likes: Full sun, dry and sandy soil.

Edible Plants

1. Banana Varieties (Dwarf Cavendish, Sweetheart, Sumatrana [Red])
   • Purpose: Provides an edible crop and tropical aesthetic.
   • Likes: Full sun, moist but well-drained soil, protected from strong winds.
   • Fruit Timing: Year-round in warm climates.
2. Papaya (Red Lady)
   • Purpose: Fast-growing fruit tree with lush foliage.
   • Likes: Full sun, well-drained soil.
   • Fruit Timing: Year-round, with peak harvests in spring and fall.
3. Jamaican Cherry (Muntingia calabura) [x2]
   • Purpose: Edible fruit, pollinator-friendly.
   • Likes: Full sun, well-drained sandy soil.
   • Fruit Timing: Produces fruit multiple times a year.
4. Starfruit (Arkin)
   • Purpose: Attractive edible fruit tree.
   • Likes: Full sun, well-drained soil.
   • Fruit Timing: Late summer to early fall and again in late winter.
5. Persian Lime
   • Purpose: Citrus tree with edible fruit and fragrant foliage.
   • Likes: Full sun, well-drained soil.
   • Fruit Timing: Fruits year-round, with peak production in late summer and winter.
6. Peruvian Cactus Apple (Cereus peruvianus)
   • Purpose: Drought-tolerant fruiting cactus.
   • Likes: Full sun, sandy or rocky soil.
   • Fruit Timing: Late summer to fall.
7. Agave
   • Purpose: Architectural plant that also produces sap used for syrup.
   • Likes: Full sun, dry soil.
   • Fruit Timing: Typically flowers once after 8-10 years, with fruiting occurring in summer.
8. Native Strawberries
   • Purpose: Edible ground cover.
   • Likes: Full to partial sun, well-drained soil.
   • Fruit Timing: Late spring to early summer, with a possible second harvest in fall.

Final Thoughts

This beach installation at Don Oasis is designed to grow into a thriving, self-sustaining landscape that balances beauty, function, and food production. With time, the ground covers will fill in, the fruit trees will mature, and the entire space will transform into a lush retreat—perfect for enjoying a fresh-picked margarita under the shade of a Jamaican Cherrytree.

Stay tuned for updates as this oasis flourishes! 🌿🌊🍹