Considering the majestic beauty of the land in Turks and Caicos, it can be disappointing when one runs across a plot of land that hasn’t been properly maintained and landscaped.  It is unfortunately common to find that many plots of land haven’t been properly landscaped, as it can only enhance the surrounding beauty. Additionally, landscaping can also add value to your Turks and Caicos home. Here are five ideas for landscaping in Turks and Caicos.

Use Native Plants

Native plants of Turks and Caicos are some of the most coveted plants around the world, but they look their most beautiful where they grew naturally. Often, faster-growing plants are emphasized in local landscaping, which is more about economy and less about landscaping. When thinking about landscaping in Turks and Caicos, you might emphasize Bougainvillea flowers, which are bright and colorful, or Sacred Lignum Vitae, a native tree of the area which is very resistant to disease and pests. It is also considered threatened, so planting more can only help their longevity as a species.

Use Trees to Round it Out

If you want to mix up your landscaping after populating your property with some local flora, you might consider adding:

• Silver Buttonwood: Can be cultivated as a tree, bush or hedge. They can reach heights of over forty feet, and are somewhat drought-resistant
• West Indian Mahogany: Also native to Turks and Caicos, it prefers low salinity and moist soil
• Gumbo Limbo: Also known as the copperwood tree, it is fast-growing and easily pruned. It is relatively fragile, which makes it more resistant to hurricanes, and its fast-growing nature means it “heals” from injury relatively quickly

Bring In Flora from Outside

Bringing in flowers and trees is not always a problem for landscaping in Turks and Caicos. In fact, many trees like palms, yellow elder, corktree, mahoe, Norfolk Island pine and tropical almond will thrive here. Additionally, tropical fruits add interest and color to your landscaping, and many of them will do well, such as tamarinds, starfruit, key limes, pineapple, mango and plantains. 

Be Aware of Plant Diseases and Pests

Since climate changes in Turks and Caicos are minimal, certain diseases from imported items have stuck around for a considerable amount of time, so fighting them is integral to keeping your landscaping in proper shape. Finding disease-resistant plants is your best bet – which means concentrating on plants native to the area, like royal Poinciana, Corktree, hibiscus, plumbago, neem and casuarina.

Keep Irrigation in Mind

Especially with introduced plants, you may need to make plans beyond your normal watering and maintenance schedule. Some introduced plants do require irrigation that is constant, meaning you will likely need to invest in additional equipment and infrastructure. This could include independent plumbing systems or gray water cisterns.

Summary

Navigating landscaping in Turks and Caicos can be overwhelming, and it isn’t a job for one person, so hiring a landscaper is your best bet. They can analyze your topsoil and your location for the ideal plants to make your land work for you.