One of the easy ways to access the Ocean Ridge Natural Area is by boat. The floating docks also provide walkers easy access to a water view.
Photo by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
At the intimate Ocean Ridge Natural Area,
secret garden (26)
Mutual Attraction by Karen Coleman shows a ruby-throated hummingbird feeding on a coral honeysuckle.
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Both nature enthusiasts and art lovers will find plenty to enjoy at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach through A
The fist-sized bloom of the Hot Princess lives up to its name. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Many give or receive roses only on Valentine’s Day. But for Debbie Coolidge, they are an everyday affair. “I like going
The Brontosaurus can grind trees into mulch, remove lower limbs or clear underbrush as a supplement to controlled fires in South County scrub areas. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
If Harper Carroll had his druthers, he’d be s
ABOVE: Native plants such as Fakahatchee grass, dune sunflower, dwarf Yaupon holly, necklace pod and golden creeper dominate the entranceway to Ocean Ridge Town Hall.
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
As you drive, walk or pedal along A1A in Ocean Ridge, t
The wall on the east side of the theater consists of panels with a variety of plants for color and texture. It gets attention from pedestrians and motorists alike. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
While many artists use their
Artist Patrick Dougherty puts the finishing touches on his massive stickwork structure at Mounts Botanical Garden. The exhibit, which has five rooms, was built from 30,000 pounds of willow saplings and the help of more than 100 volunteers. Tim Stepie
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
When you think of a tree, chances are you envision a trunk with some foliage at the top that might shade your yard, become a home to birds and other wildlife, or provide your family with such sweet treats as mangoes or sta
Living up to its name, Spanish bayonet is a tough plant with a very sharp point.
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
‘Don’t get poked by that Spanish bayonet,” says Jane Thompson, pointing to a plant aptly named for its spiky foliage. Her timely warning come
Garden tour to be source of landscaping ideas
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Residents looking for new ideas to attract more birds and butterflies to their yards and snowbirds interested in landscaping that doesn’t need much maintenance while they ar
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Tucked among the strip malls and commercial trappings along Federal Highway sits about an acre of land that lets you peek into the past. Just south of Town Hall, the Hypoluxo Hammock is a re-creation of how this area woul
ABOVE: Dena Balka in the kitchen at the Infusions Café. RIGHT: Red stem kale is a hearty green thriving in the garden. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
The Secret Garden is a small raised vegetable garden at the
ABOVE: An orange-barred sulphur butterfly drinks nectar from a firebush. BELOW: Strangler figs line the path of the Ashley Trail. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
It’s easy to find the Ashley Trail from the parking l
ABOVE: Peter Lasman harvests a ripe eggplant. BELOW: Robin Silverman shows off chives and a strawberry she picked. 2017 photos by Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Peter Lasman, 62, has watched the garden more than
ABOVE: The boardwalk at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is family friendly and provides an easy way to get close to nature. BELOW LEFT: This red-shouldered hawk looks for a late afternoon meal. 2017 Photos by Jerry Lower/T
ABOVE: Silver saw palmetto and a single thatch palm define the sidewalk area in front of the Lake Worth studio of Debra Yates and her son Benjamin Burle. BELOW: Staghorn ferns and a large mirror adorn the back patio. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal
ABOVE: GPS coordinates are recorded so that the orchids can be monitored. BELOW: Carmen Rodriguez nestles a Dancing Lady orchid seedling into the undergrowth of the Yamato Scrub Natural Area. Photos by Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley/The Coastal Star
By Deb
ABOVE: A nonslip aluminum walkway lets visitors feel as if they are walking on water. BELOW: Crinum americanum (with white flowers) is also called swamp lily. In the background is a red-leafed Crinum ‘Menehune.’ Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Sta
Although the parking lot and paths of the Lantana Nature Preserve are covered in palm fronds and leaf litter, the trees and shrubs appear to have taken Hurricane Irma’s abuse in stride. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seel
Looking up through a stand of blue bamboo.
Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
Black bamboo
Giant bamboo
Sunburst bamboo
Seabreeze bamboo
By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley
Anyone who understands the exotic appeal of bamboo will want to visit the Trop
