Another element impacting the design and maintenance is the Florida weather . In the summer season especially there can be torrential downpours , and there are rules about retaining two inches of water on your property over a certain period of time .
Fernando ’ s team designed an incredibly elaborate drainage system to manage water . The east garden , for example , is sunken and there are steps down into the ground . A proper drainage system was required for the garden to thrive , because during hurricane season or the summer months , it would otherwise completely flood .
The plant palette includes Cuban laurel , Green Island ficus , podocarpus , jasmine minima , cotoneaster , apostle iris , white hibiscus , white oleander , white angel trumpet , creeping fig , bougainvillea , and diamond zoysia .