MOST RESIDENTS AREN'T AWARE OF HOW MUCH OF THE ORIGINAL PC LANDSCAPING HAS BEEN DAMAGED BECAUSE OF MAJOR CHANGES MADE TO THE LANDSCAPING WITHOUT THE RESIDENTS' APPROVAL.
HERE THEY ARE. CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE.
Here are some professional comments on the landscape by Pelican Cove residents with extensive design experience:
“Justin Spring’s eye for beauty, color and proportion is excellent. His commentary on the quality of the changes that have been made to our beautiful landscape is top notch. They’re not just one man’s opinions though; the many photos of each site back him up. We need the advice of a landscape architect if we're going to preserve the beauty and harmony of our Pelican Cove landscape."
Joan Adley, Brookhouse Resident
Art Consultant ; Owner, Adley Gallery of Contemporary Art
"It is my opinion that the use of a landscape architect at Pelican Cove is an absolute necessity.The use of the computer program we have at Pelican Cove is now interactive with the landscape architect, Sue Thompson, and Grounds Foreman, Mike O'Byrne, but many others have capabilities to use this program.Justin Spring, who has had a good deal of interaction with the Grounds Committee, is especially adept in the program's usage of knowledge and esthetic acumen in dealing with landscape issues at Pelican Cove. His abilities and consistent interest in the character of Pelican Cove are invaluable."
Grounds Committee Member
Artist
Graduate Studies w/ associates of Eero Saarinen
Professor Emeritus Art & design Rhode Island College
"The main problem we have now is overplanting. As someone who walks the property daily, I can report that areas which used to be open are continually being planted with shrubs making it impossible to traverse where there used to be an open space for the eye to rest, and a space us to walk! The large ferns can be cut back annually to the base to keep their size in check, but I have never seen this done and now they encroach beautiful plantings all over Pelican Cove.
We really should quit buying plants for a while and focus on maintenance and making what we have more rational. I appreciate the hard work that is done daily here but we should be a bit more conservative in the changes we make.Helping our staff achieve a more harmonious whole could be greatly aided by the landscape designer.
Lenore S., Resident
Intl. Art Advisory Services, Sarasota
Former owner of Avant Garden Inc.
Former Associate to David Seeler, Landscape Architect,
The Bayberry, Amagansett, New York
Former Associate to David Seeler, Landscape Architect,
The Bayberry, Amagansett, New York
What follows is a pictorial review of the TWELVE ( 12) major redesigns of the Pelican Cove landscape that were made in the six year period: 2006-2011.
(CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE FOR DETAIL)
The pictures and commentary should be viewed by anyone interested in getting a handle on the quality of these redesigns.All of these redesigns except one were made without submitting a detailed plan to the residents and the Grounds Committee for approval, something unheard of in the landscape design profession.
In addition, all of the 12 redesigns were made to the original, lush Pelican Cove landscape without the advice and aid of a skilled Landscape Architect.
We estimate that the cost of having a Landscape Architect review and approve any future redesigns of our beautiful landscape would cost only $75-$125 per re-design, which is negligible.
More importantly, it would insure that this our beautiful, one of a kind landscape will continue to be a what Mrs. Wilbanks created 75 years ago: a national treasure.HERE ARE DETAILED PICTURES AND EVALUATIONS OF THE TWELVE CHANGES:
CHANGE 1) Planting of over 600 Crotons and Ti plants throughout shady areas in Pelican Cove/ Grounds Manager's Initiative ( 2006)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: POOR
Comments: The main problem is that for Croton and Ti shrubs to grow well, they require full sun ( 6-8 hours).
"The color of Croton leaves is strongly influenced by light intensity.....Landscape varieties grow well in full sun. ... excessive shade will prevent proper color development. University of Florida, IFAS,
"Ti does well in partial shade( 4-6 hours) to nearly full sun ( 6-8hours). It needs more water if grown in full sun.. Although it will survive in quite low light, the foliage will never develop its full potential colors." FLORIDATA
Most of our Croton and Ti shrubs were planted in shady areas (2 hours sun) with the result they grew spindly and dark in color..
Here is what Crotons look like when they have full sun light and space to grow. They are full, bushy and colorful.
Some of our Crotons were planted in reasonably good light and in groupings in front of the Wilbanks. The result is they look something like the photos below: reasonably bushy and colorful.
To the left is a photo of what most of our Crotons look like.DARK AND UGLY.Here is what Ti shrubs look like when they have good light and space to grow. They are full, bushy and colorful.
This is what most of our Ti plants looked like because they were planted singly and in shade.The problem with our Croton and Ti shrubs is that almost half the Ti shrubs and Croton shrubs were planted in the wrong light ( shade) , where they become skinny and their color becomes dark and muddy. Shade is defined as 2 hours or less of sunlight.
In addition, many were planted in the wrong way ( as single shrubs in the middle of existing shrubs, so they grew long, skinny stalks searching for light only to finally tower above the existing shrubs like alien plants from outer space).
This extreme height difference destroys the harmony of the surrounding shrub area.
In a few years , they will double their height and the problem will only grow worse, because
Ti's grow to 8 feet and Crotons to 8-12 feet.
OUR TI SHRUBS IN BAD LIGHT
Below is what most of our Ti shrubs look like today because they were planted in shade:
Ti shrubs do not grow in well in shady areas. They become stunted or stilted and muddy in color as the sunlight decreases. No landscape architect would have used them in the way they were throughout the very shady areas of PC ( Grovehouses, Glenhouses, Brookhouses, Boathouse Circle).
OUR CROTON SHRUBS IN BAD LIGHT
Below is what many of our Croton shrubs look like because they were planted in shade.
Shade is defined as 2 hours or less of sunlight. The result is they are dark, almost black in color, and skimpy/skinny in structure.
They are depressing, dark colors that have completely spoiled some sections of the Glen houses and Tree houses in the southwest corner of the complex
Croton shrubs do not grow in well in shady areas. No landscape architect would have used them in the way they were throughout the very shady areas of PC ( Grovehouses, Glenhouses, Brookhouses, Boathouse Circle).
OUR CROTON SHRUBS PLANTED AS SINGLE SHRUBS IN THE MIDDLE OF GREEN EXISTING SHRUBS
Below are photos of single Croton shrubs planted in the middle of existing green shrubs. Even if there is adequate light, they grow tall and skimpy searching for light, eventually towering over the surrounding green shrubs destroying any harmony that existed.
In a few years , they will double their height to 8-12 feet, making the problem even worse.
BOTH OUR CROTON and TI SHRUBS WERE PLANTED AS SINGLE SHRUBS IN THE MIDDLE OF GREEN SHRUBS
Below are many photos of Ti shrubs and Croton shrubs in Pelican Cove which were planted the wrong way ( as single shrubs in the middle of existing green shrubs) . Some in adequate light, some in shade.
Notice the difference between their heights and the surrounding shrubs..
All of the Croton and Ti shrubs pictured above destroy the proportional harmony of our green shrub groupings, because to survive they must eventually tower over the surrounding shrubs.
No Landscape Architect would have planted Croton and Ti shrubs this way.
The correct way would have been to mass them together ( in good light) either by themselves, or in front or in back of existing green shrubs where they can grow bushy and full and yet be easily trimmed to the height of the surrounding shrubs.
As an example of the type of color and plant /tree proportion harmony possible with the assistance of an experienced Landscape Architect click here see this video and fast forward to 12:40 thru 14:20 to see how an experienced Landscape Architect has used Crotons harmoniously.
CHANGE 2) First re-landscaping of Boathouse Circle/
Requested by residents petition (2006)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: POOR
Comments: This design was a disaster. The Crotons , Tis and other shrubs that were mistakenly planted would not grow in the extremely shady areas of Boathouse Circle. ( Crotons and Ti plants require full sun, 6-8 hours. They become skinny, stunted and muddy in color as the sunlight decreases. )
No landscape architect would have used them in shady Boathouse Circle.
For more detailed photos and comments see:
http://boathousecircle.blogspot.com/2011/09/boathouse-circle-relandscaping-2009.html
Photos below of area 2 years after this unsatisfactory re-landscaping:
CHANGE 3) Butterfly Garden re-landscaping/Requested by Invasive Plant Program Grounds Committee (2006)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Evaluation of the Design: POOR
Comments: This design looks like a mash of rangy, skinny Florida Native shrubs that were thrown together.
The Butterfly Garden design called for stripping the plot bare and planting exclusively Florida Native shrubs (except for some ferns). None of the original lush plants were kept.
This was a huge mistake, as they would have balanced out the rangy Florida Native shrubs. This was never taken into account.
(In general, Florida Native shrubs have small leaves and widely spaced branches, as compared to the original lush, broad leaved PC shrubs). Here are some examples to study:
In addition, none of the Florida Native shrubs resembling the original lush broadleaved shrubs were used. They should have been. If this had been done, and some of the original broad leaved shrubs had been kept, the design would have been much better looking and more in harmony with the surrounding, original landscaping.
A Landscape Architect would have taken into account all these factors and planted accordingly.
CHANGE 4) Brookhouse Pond re-landscaping /Bay and Water Committee project 2006-7 )
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting YES/NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: POOR
Comments: The Grounds Committee and grounds manager were bypassed on this site, but the results were equally disastrous.
The site was planted by the residents and members of the Bay and Water Committee after being presented to the Community/Board of Directors as an example of how Native Florida shrubs, flowers and grasses could be planted that required no watering or trimming (according to the company that sold PC the plants). The design was done by the company that sold the plants.
The site was planted by the residents and members of the Bay and Water Committee after being presented to the Community/Board of Directors as an example of how Native Florida shrubs, flowers and grasses could be planted that required no watering or trimming (according to the company that sold PC the plants). The design was done by the company that sold the plants.
Let me just say that it is never wise to get maintenance and design advice from the company who sells the plants.
Most of the plants died because of lack of water. Some large, brown grasses and large yellow flowering stalks were added a year ago to hide the dead areas.
A Landscape Architect would have set up a spread-out watering schedule to insure the plants didn't die. Most probably a more hardy mixture of Native Florida plants would have been specified as well.
CHANGE 5) Vamo Rd /Brookhouse Re-landscaping / Invasive plant Grounds Committee (2006-7)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: POOR
Comments:
Again, this area was stripped completely bare, rather than leave the original non-invasive trees and shrubs that would have balanced the plot out. What resulted looks like a dense bunch of Florida Native trees and shrubs with no apparent design. It is an eyesore.
No Landscape Architect would have done this. The original non-invasive plants and trees would have been kept to balance out the landscaping.
BEFORE GOING ON, HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL PC LANDSCAPING
Our landscape is a national treasure. It is a completely manufactured landscape in the tradition of Frederick Olmsted, the creator of Central Park in NYC.
Olmsted revolutionized landscaping in America..
Although no one knows for sure, I believe it was originally created for Mrs. Wilbanks by a protege of Olmsted. The two landscape architects employed by Bob Morris in 1978-79 were from the finest landscaping schools and honored the original lush, sub-tropical landscaping in THE ALTERATIONS THEY MADE.
The result was unique: a condominium complex within a botanical garden.
The Landscape in Pelican Cove can be considered a national treasure.
In 1979, when Pelican Cove opened, the grounds represented a botanical garden equaling Selby Gardens in Sarasota, Fairchild Gardens in Miami, and Bok Towers Gardens in Central Florida.
We believe that the unsatisfactory redesigns of the last six years strongly suggest that a Landscape Architect should oversee and review all future redesigns of the landscape.
The debate as to whether to employ a Landscape Architect to review future designs revolves around 2 considerations::
1. Are the 12 redesigns done over the past 6 years equal in color, beauty and proportion to the original PC landscaping design? These pictures and expert commentary will help you make up your mind.2. Is the cost of a LA prohibitive? We estimate the cost to be $75-$125 each time a detailed 3D projection is submitted to the LA for review and approval. Again this is NOT for maintenance changes but complete redesigns. If there are no redesigns, the cost is ZERO.
The hourly rate of the LA is $125/hour. It should take no more than ½ hour (or $75) or 1 hour ( $125) for approval by LA since the 3D computer projection of the design can be submitted back and forth via E mail.
A proposal being put before the Grounds Committee asks that a LA approve a design before the redesign can be presented to the Ground Committee for acceptance or dismissal. If it is a accepted, the design can be planted.
CHANGE 6) Interior Grovehouse area re-landscaping/ Grounds Manager Initiative (2009)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Evaluation of the Design: ACCEPTABLE
Comments: These large hedges were put up supposedly to keep the worker's carts on the gravel path. That's a manager's job to my mind. Many more hedges ( twice as many) have been planted that will eventually grow as large as those shown.
No residents were consulted. What is in question here is why the re-landscaping was ever done in the first place.
What these hedges really do is block the view of the pool and the other interiors areas which bothers residents.
No landscape Architect would have put up these unnecessary and view-blocking hedges.
CHANGE 7) Second Boathouse Circle re-landscaping /residents petition/(2009- 2011)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO ( detailed drawings for islands were submitted by J Spring. Grounds manager submitted none for other areas)
Evaluation of the Design: GOOD
Comments:
After watching two ( 2) years of minimal growth, the skimpy, stunted, non-green landscape was deemed very unsatisfactory by the residents. It was petitioned to be replaced with a landscaping similar to the lush, green original landscaping.
Despite the ground manager's objections that the landscaping was fine, the general manager ordered a re-landscaping of the 22 parking islands to specifications that were drawn up by Justin Spring and approved by the residents
For detailed info and before and after pictures of this see:
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE 12 REDESIGNS OF THE ORIGINAL PC LANDSCAPING
A number of artists and designers who live in PC and who are also familiar with good landscaping believe the twelve (12) re-designs that have been made over the past 6 years have degraded that national treasure.
The 12 redesigned areas constitute about 10 to 15% of the total green area in Pelican Cove, depending on how you count the over 600 Crotons and Ti shrubs that were planted in 2006-7.
Based on this, we estimate that an additional 10-15% of the total green area will be completely redesigned every 7 years.
Many residents are not aware of these areas because they are widely separated, sometimes in remote places, and surrounded by the original PC landscaping.
All of these 12 redesigns were done without submitting an accurate, detailed drawing of the proposed redesign to the residents and Grounds Committee, which is unheard of in the landscape design business.
We believe if a landscape Architect had reviewed these designs prior to planting, our landscape would be in much better condition.
CHANGE 8) South end Pelican Cove Fence re-landscaping/Grounds Manager initiative (2010-11)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: ACCEPTABLE
Comments: Confederate Jasmine vines were planted to block view of opposing development.
Unfortunately this only works for first floor residents. No trees were planted, as elsewhere , to block the second floor views. A skilled Landscape Architect would have recognized this problem and solved it.
CHANGE 9) Phil Myers Memorial Garden /Grounds Committee (2010-11)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: ACCEPTABLE/GOOD
Comments: The three fruit trees were a nice idea as they will grow and bear fruit. however, as a memorial, a skilled Landscape Architect would have also planted some more formal elements to emphasize that the area is a memorial area.
CHANGE 10) Kayak deck re-landscaping Glenhouses/ Ground Committee (2010-2011)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design:GOOD
Comments: a nice, clean , functional design utilizing Florida Native and the Original lush shrubs and trees.
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE MAJOR PROBLEMS FACING US IF WE CONTINUE TO CHANGE THE ORIGINAL LANDSCAPE AND OPERATE WITHOUT THE ADVICE OF A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.
The basic problem in Pelican Cove at the present time is that two very different types of shrubs were introduced six years ago:
1.Native Florida shrubsand
2. Croton/Ti shrubsBoth their shapes and their colors are so different from the lush, green, original PC landscaping, that they clashed and no effort was ever made to overcome that clash.
A good LA would have found a way to use these new shrubs in a harmonious way.
As an example of the type of color and plant /tree proportion harmony possible with the assistance of an experienced Landscape Architect see this video and fast forward to 12:40 thru 14:20 to see how an experienced Landscape Architect has used Crotons harmoniously.
Below is an example of some of the clashing colors seen throughout Pelican Cove
The photo to the left shows an example that color disharmony . Starting from back to front: : yellow varigated arbicolas, red/black/purple crotons/ orange-red firecracker ferns.
This combination, especially the yellow arbicolas and red/black purple crotons, is commonly repeated throughout Pelican Cove
Harmony, of course is difficult to define, but everyone instantly recognizes it.
The original Pelican Cove landscaping was created by the best landscape architects money could buy and those who moved here 30 years ago remember that harmony and beauty.
CHANGE 11) Brookhouse front yard redesign/ Grounds manager Initiative (2010 -2011)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: POOR
Comments: 14 out of the 15 the residents of this area complained about this horrible planting, completely out of harmony with the surrounding area but nothing was done. It was ordered removed by the General Manager and the original plantings restored after I intervened on behalf of the residents.
No Landscape Architect would have done this. EVER.
CHANGE 12) Gate entrance Brookhouse re-landscaping/ Grounds Committee (2010-2011)
Design drawings submitted to Grounds Committee and Residents prior to planting NO/YES*
Design approved by a Landscape Architect: NO
Evaluation of the Design: GOOD
Comments: This was a good design in the sense that as it kept 75% of the original, lush plantings and design while removing only the invasive plants and shrubs.
*The original picture of the design which was submitted to the Grounds committee bore no resemblance to what was actually planted. I asked both IBI and the grounds manager for a picture of the original drawing to back my statements up but neither would release the picture although it is community property. So much for transparency.
SOME FINAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE EVALUATIONS:
You have seen the pictures of all 12 areas.
CLICK ON THEM TO ENLARGE.
Chances are you aren't aware of many of them because they are in odd corners of PC.
They will help you judge for yourself as to the quality of the re-landscaping.
The ratings ranged as follows: POOR, ACCEPTABLE, GOOD, EXCELLENT, with EXCELLENT being the kind of landscape design you would expect from an experienced, licensed Landscape Architect.
None of the 12 landscape redesigns was rated EXCELLENT, including the one done by me. (Justin Spring)
What is needed is a skilled Landscape Architect with a good sense of color and harmony to oversee and approve all redesigns of our landscape.
RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE AN EXPERIENCED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OVERSEEING THE REDESIGNS, WE HAVE 3 DIFFERENT LANDSCAPING SCHEMES COMPETING AGAINST EACH OTHER: (1) FLORIDA NATIVE,(2) CROTON/TI, AND (3) THE ORIGINAL LUSH, GREEN LANDSCAPING.
IT'S LIKE A WOMAN WEARING 3 DIFFERENT HAIR DESIGNS. IT DOESN'T WORK
Our future designs can be done in-house, but we believe they must always be approved by a landscape Architect, skilled in beauty, harmony and proportion.A proposal being put before the Grounds Committee asks that a LA approve a design before the redesign can be presented to the Ground Committee for acceptance or dismissal. If it is a accepted, the design can be planted.
For those not familiar with standard landscaping practices , no landscape designer ever plants a new landscape without creating a detailed drawing for customer approval and review.All 12 of our redesigns were planted without submission of a detailed, accurate drawing and without the aid of a professional Landscape Architect.
Despite the hiring of IBI last year, that has not been done. Redesigns continue to be made without the approval of designs by the IBI Landscape Architect.
If this continues, we believe the beautiful Pelican Cove landscape will be degraded beyond recovery within the next 10-15 years.
If you feel as we do, you should make it your business to attend every Ground Committee meeting, starting in November 9, 2011, 9:30 am at the Wilbanks mansion.
Without your speaking up the damage will continue.
It is time we all realize we must take a responsible, professional approach to preserving this one of a kind landscape treasure created by Mrs Wilbanks.
Bob Morris assured Mrs Wilbanks that he would continue to preserve it when he acquired the property.
We have a fiduciary obligation to continue that pledge.
If we fail to act, this beautiful treasure will continue to degrade until there will be little left of its original majesty, beauty and harmony.
Justin Spring
for
Friends of the Original PC Landscaping
Click here for Design Credentials of Justin Spring