Sue Ramos, Assistant at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Landscapes & Garden Center, emphasized the importance of patience when dealing with landscaping after a major storm.
Despite Hurricane Milton flooding the center with several feet of saltwater, Ramos reassured that many native plants survived and will recover over time. “If we give them some time, they will come back,” she said.
A simple way to check if a plant is still alive is through the “scratch test.” By lightly scratching the bark, you can look for a green layer beneath the surface called cambium, indicating the plant is still alive.
Ramos advised homeowners not to rush into removing plants that appear dead. “Don’t be too quick to pull things out of your yard because they look bad. Take your time and give them a chance to recover,” she said. “You might be surprised at how much still survives.”
Related topics: