I was weeding my front garden last weekend when my neighbor stopped to say hello. I joked that I was standing in my jungle and was surprised she could see me. She stood there for a moment, stared and then said "I can't believe all the shade over there." That's when it hit me. Her house has absolutely no shade in the front yard. How hot her yard must get at this time of year and how hard her air conditioning unit must also work to keep the inside cool.

We've all heard for years how trees are natural air conditioners for our home. It makes sense to plant them where they will drape your home in shade particularly during the hottest part of the day. Here in Florida we also need to consider wind tolerant trees that can help protect us during hurricane weather.

I was reading an article in the paper the other day about planting strategically. Research was conducted after our hurricane season last year that indicated some homes were better protected and sustained little damage due to how and what was planted around them.

So, what should we plant and what should we avoid? Great trees that work as a wind screen include crape myrtle (one of my personal favorites), live oak, Canary Island date palm (another one of my favs and pictured here), pindo palm, and saw palmetto just to name a few. Shrubs include bromeliads, cardboard palm, crown of thorns and, everyone's favorite, hibiscus. Plants and trees to either avoid or keep far from your home include jacaranda, norfolk island pine, sand pine, thryallis and golden rain tree.

When you're ready to add some plants visit a landscaper or certified arborist beforehand. There's also a new book Stormscaping: Landscaping to Minimize Wind Damage in Florida that will give you guidance. Happy Florida Gardening and enjoy that shade.