Oakmont Garners Award for Xeriscape
Where should you go to see xeriscaping at its best? The members of the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association point to the Oakmont neighborhood of Pelican Bay.
The state association named Westinghouse Communities of Naples, the developer of the North Naples community, as the winner of its Xeriscape State Award of Excellence.
Xeriscaping is the use of plants requiring minimal water in landscaping.
In its Oakmont neighborhood, Westinghouse used a mix of water-efficient foliage with the indigenous vegetation on median strips and public areas, and oversaw the use of similar plants in residential landscapes.
Oakmont, a single-family neighborhood of 130 homesites, utilizes existing oaks and pines with other drought-tolerant plants.
The Oakmont landscaping was accomplished under a one-year xeriscape pilot program conducted by Westinghouse in conjunction with the South Florida Water Management District.
Westinghouse showcased the landscaping technique in its Oakmont "model row," coordinating closely with the eight contractors who built homes there.
According to Westinghouse personnel, three different xeriscape techniques were employed at Oakmont: road medians and most of the house lots preserved native vegetation needing no irrigation; accent plantings were used only where irrigation could be efficiently controlled; and lakeside parks and perimeter areas were planted with water-thrifty oaks and ornamental grasses.
The Westinghouse project was spearheaded by Charles Turner, the company's director of planning and design, and David Driapsa, its landscape architect.
The Landscape Contracting Division of the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association sponsors the awards program in conjunction with the annual Florida Nursery and Allied Trade Show to recognize outstanding achievement by professional members of the industry.
More than 100 entries were judged for this competition.
David J Driapsa Landscape Architect
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Registered Professional Landscape Architect, Florida LA0001185
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