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
- 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.
- Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
- Purpose: Provides erosion control, height, and structure.
- Likes: Full sun, wet to moist soil.
- Placement: Top of the drain.
- 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
- Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
- Purpose: Pollinator-friendly, erosion control, and vibrant blooms.
- Likes: Full sun, sandy soil, drought-tolerant.
- Placement: Along the canal wall.
- 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
- Frog Fruit (Phyla nodiflora)
- Purpose: Ground cover, erosion control, attracts pollinators.
- Likes: Full to partial sun, tolerates wet and sandy conditions.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Peruvian Cactus Apple (Cereus peruvianus)
- Purpose: Drought-tolerant fruiting cactus.
- Likes: Full sun, sandy or rocky soil.
- Fruit Timing: Late summer to fall.
- 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.
- 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! 🌿🌊🍹