When I began the project at False Bluff I had the naive idea that, because of the splendid weather, anything I planted would grow splendidly; and the verdant growth that was already there supported this idea I had.
What I hadn't taken into consideration at all was the salt: salt in the air, salt spray, salt that coats everybody and everything, salt that soaks into the sandy soil.
Turns out there's a limited number of landscaping plants - whether they bloom or not - that can withstand that sort of thing; and so, much of what I planted didn't do well or just plain up and died.
Granted, when I began to plant things away from the beach many of the plants that I wanted to grow at False Bluff ended up thriving, although the 'thriving' depended entirely on the plant's salt-resistance. For instance, the ylang-ylang trees had to be planted hundred feet from the edge of the Caribbean; and hibiscus very nearly that.
However, I learned that once the plants were put in their comfort zones, they did what I thought all the plants I wanted to grow there would do...they thrived. But I wanted plants right near the sea, along the beach, that were as ornamental in their own ways as hibiscus is.
Therefore we're opening a nursery that specializes in plants that will thrive close to the sea despite the salt - plus a collection of hibiscus that will put on their show a little farther away from the beach.
This photo shows one of several rows of plants where our specimen, or mother, plants are lined out. These are the plants that will provide cuttings and divisions to create more plants, plants that will be for sale to people who, like me, want to be able to grow pretty things right near the Caribbean. (Additional space is devoted to the propagation from seeds of such things as sea grape.)
This is only a small part of the nursery...
The building lots we have for sale are at the north end of False Bluff and the space where they have been surveyed and are laid out has been pretty well cleared.
Near the first of the lots is a beautiful clump of coconut trees, just as nature planted them years ago. And, of course, at the base of each of these trees our favorite zoysia grass has been planted.
Long-time friends, one-time neighbors, arrive at Bluefields airport.
Forgive the horrible picture. What you are actually looking at are two bats that are roosting in the farm house. They squeezed themselves in between a wall and a board. Its good to see they are around and hopefully they will stay in the area, not necessarily inside the house. We have talked a lot about building some bat houses to keep the mosquitoes down but we will need to design masonry ones since the termites go after any dead wood. One more task on the list of things to do.
In some of the previous posts you have been able to see what the Caribbean looks like most of the time. Usually around 4am the sea is quite calm and flat. As the day progresses the sea becomes choppier. It's always nice to be able to walk along deserted beach. The day I took these pics the Caribbean was the choppiest I'd seen it in a long time. Still beautiful either way.
Great view of Bluefield Bay in the evening from one of our favorite places to dine. The Pelican Bay Restaurant is on the end of the point that makes up the Pointeen Neighborhood. Not only does it have great waterside seating but also great food.