# Everglades Native Designs — Complete Site Content

> **Award-winning Florida native plant landscape company** serving all of Collier County and Lee County, Southwest Florida. Two-time Marco in Bloom winner (2024 & 2022). Licensed Landscape Contractor.

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## Quick Reference

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| **Business** | Everglades Native Designs |
| **Tagline** | Award Winning Landscapes |
| **Phone** | (239) 300-8115 |
| **Email** | inquiry@evergladesnativedesigns.com |
| **Website** | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com |
| **Instagram** | https://www.instagram.com/evergladesnativedesigns/ |
| **Facebook** | https://www.facebook.com/evergladesnativedesigns |
| **Location** | Naples, Florida (Collier County) |
| **Geo** | 26.1420°N, 81.7948°W |
| **Service Area** | All of Collier County and Lee County, SW Florida |
| **License** | Licensed Landscape Contractor — Collier & Lee Counties |
| **Awards** | 2024 Marco in Bloom Winner; 2022 Marco in Bloom Winner |
| **Price Range** | $$ (mid-range; free initial consultation) |
| **Nursery** | By appointment only |

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## About the Company

Everglades Native Designs is a professional landscape company based in Naples, Florida, founded on the belief that the most beautiful, resilient, and sustainable landscapes in Southwest Florida are built on Florida native plants — species that have proven themselves over millennia in local climate, soils, and ecology.

The company specializes exclusively in Florida native plants, providing hand-drawn site-specific landscape designs, full installation, custom landscape lighting, and ongoing maintenance programs for residential and commercial properties throughout Collier and Lee Counties.

Every landscape plan is custom — no templates, no computer-generated layouts. The designer personally visits each property to assess sun exposure, soil, drainage, and the client's lifestyle before producing a hand-crafted plan.

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## Design Team

### Ray Pecheone — Owner, Landscape Designer & Horticulturalist

Ray Pecheone is a Florida native and the owner and principal designer of Everglades Native Designs. He is a trained fine artist and horticulturalist with over 40 years of combined experience in landscape design and plant science.

**Professional credentials:**
- Licensed Landscape Contractor — Collier County, Florida
- Licensed Landscape Contractor — Lee County, Florida
- Director at Large, Florida Association of Native Nurseries (FANN)
- Lecturer, UF/IFAS Master Gardeners Program (University of Florida Extension)
- Lecturer, Florida Association of Native Nurseries (FANN)
- Lecturer, Florida Native Plant Society

Ray designs every landscape personally — by hand, on-site specific plans informed by decades of hands-on horticultural experience across Southwest Florida's diverse ecosystems.

### Chris Traikoff — Landscape Architect, BSLA

Chris Traikoff brings formal landscape architecture training and large-scale project experience to Everglades Native Designs.

- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA), The Ohio State University
- **Notable projects:** Dodger Stadium landscape design (Los Angeles, CA); Arlington Heights Sports Park (Riverside, CA)
- **Specialties:** Site design, ecological planning, large-scale native plant landscapes, residential and commercial design in Southwest Florida

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## Services

### 1. Landscape Design

Professional, site-specific, hand-drawn native plant landscape design for residential and commercial properties across Southwest Florida.

**What's included:**
- Personal property visit by the licensed designer
- Site assessment: sun exposure, soil, drainage, existing vegetation
- Fully custom hand-drawn landscape plan — no templates
- Plant selection tailored to your specific site and lifestyle
- Revision and consultation until the design is exactly right

**Best for:** Homeowners, commercial property owners, HOAs, builders, developers

**Areas served:** All of Collier County and Lee County

### 2. Landscape Lighting

Custom low-voltage LED landscape lighting systems that bring Florida native plant landscapes to life after dark.

**Types of lighting:**
- Path and walkway lighting
- Accent and spotlight lighting for specimen plants
- Uplighting to showcase palms and canopy trees
- Moonlighting (fixtures mounted high to simulate natural moonlight)
- Timer and smart-control integration
- Retrofit installations for existing landscapes

**Available:** As part of new landscape installations or as a standalone retrofit

### 3. Landscape Installation

Full-service installation managed and executed by a Licensed Landscape Contractor (Collier and Lee Counties).

**Includes:**
- Site preparation and soil amendment
- Drainage planning and grading
- Florida native plant installation
- Hardscape elements: mulch, rock, boulders, pathways
- Irrigation coordination
- Final cleanup and walkthrough

### 4. Landscape Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance programs built around the natural growth cycles of Florida native plants — not the conventional mow-blow-go approach.

**Program options:**
- Monthly, bi-monthly, or seasonal site visits
- Seasonal pruning and shaping
- Organic soil enrichment and top-dressing
- Weed and invasive species management
- Plant health monitoring and replacement recommendations

### 5. Commercial & HOA Landscaping

Full commercial landscape services for businesses, communities, and property managers throughout Collier and Lee Counties.

**Commercial clients include:**
- Office parks and professional campuses
- HOA communities and gated neighborhoods
- Retail centers and shopping plazas
- Multi-family residential and apartment communities
- Hotels and hospitality properties
- Public spaces and municipal projects
- Builder model homes and community entry features

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## Why Florida Native Plants?

Florida native plants are species that lived in Florida before European settlement. Because they evolved here, they:

- **Are adapted to Florida's climate** — subtropical heat, wet/dry seasons, sandy soils, salt air
- **Support native wildlife** — birds, butterflies, bees, gopher tortoises, and other pollinators
- **Provide food and shelter** — berries, seeds, nectar, and nesting sites for local fauna
- **Require less water** — once established, most natives need little or no supplemental irrigation
- **Need less fertilizer** — adapted to Florida's nutrient-poor sandy soils
- **Resist local pests** — evolved alongside Florida's insects and diseases
- **Are hurricane-resilient** — root systems adapted to Florida's storm conditions and flooding
- **Reduce long-term costs** — less maintenance, less irrigation, less chemical input

Native landscapes look beautiful year-round, support Florida's ecological health, and typically cost less to maintain than conventional exotic plantings over a 5–10 year horizon.

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## Signature Florida Native Plants

| Common Name | Botanical Name | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Calusa Firebush | *Hamelia patens* var. *glabra* | Orange-red flowers; attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; high wildlife value |
| Wild Coffee | *Psychotria nervosa* | Deep shade tolerance; red berries; attracts birds; evergreen |
| American Beautyberry | *Callicarpa americana* | Stunning purple berries in fall; major wildlife magnet |
| Native Porterweed | *Stachytarpheta jamaicensis* | Butterfly favorite; long bloom season; low maintenance |
| Sea Grape | *Coccoloba uvifera* | Coastal wind/salt tolerance; edible fruit; large sculptural leaves |
| Rouge Plant | *Rivina humilis* | Ground cover; red berries; excellent shade tolerance |
| Florida Thatch Palm | *Thrinax radiata* | Elegant native palm; coastal resilience; high wildlife value |
| Gold Pineland Lantana | *Lantana depressa* var. *depressa* | Pollinator powerhouse; endemic to South Florida; compact form |
| Coontie | *Zamia integrifolia* | Florida's only native cycad; sole host plant for Atala butterfly |
| Simpson's Stopper | *Myrcianthes fragrans* | Fragrant white flowers; berries; dense evergreen screening |
| Saw Palmetto | *Serenoa repens* | Foundational Florida native; drought tolerant; critical wildlife habitat |
| Muhly Grass | *Muhlenbergia capillaris* | Spectacular pink fall plumes; nearly zero maintenance; stunning mass planting |

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## Service Areas

### Collier County
Naples · North Naples · East Naples · Marco Island · Golden Gate · Ave Maria · Pelican Bay · Park Shore · Vanderbilt Beach · Lely · Isle of Capri · Immokalee · and all unincorporated Collier County communities

### Lee County
Fort Myers · Cape Coral · Bonita Springs · Estero · Fort Myers Beach · Sanibel · Captiva · Lehigh Acres · North Fort Myers · Pine Island · Miromar Lakes · Gateway · and all unincorporated Lee County communities

**Regional coverage:** All of Southwest Florida — from Marco Island north through Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and surrounding areas.

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## Awards & Recognition

- **2024 Marco in Bloom Winner** — Best Professionally Designed Residential Landscape, Marco Island, Florida
- **2022 Marco in Bloom Winner** — Best Professionally Designed Residential Landscape, Marco Island, Florida

Marco in Bloom is an annual beautification competition on Marco Island, Florida that recognizes excellence in residential and commercial landscape design throughout Collier County.

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## Projects & Portfolio

Everglades Native Designs has completed landscape transformations across Southwest Florida, including:

- Full residential property transformations from conventional to native landscapes
- Coastal property designs on Marco Island and Sanibel using salt-tolerant native species
- HOA and community common area installations
- Commercial property landscape design and installation
- Award-winning projects recognized by Marco in Bloom
- Landscape lighting retrofits and new installs
- Before-and-after garden renovations

View the portfolio at: https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/projects

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## Gallery

A photo gallery of completed landscape designs, plant close-ups, before-and-after comparisons, and installation progress is available at: https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/gallery

Follow on social media for ongoing project updates:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evergladesnativedesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evergladesnativedesigns

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is Everglades Native Designs?**
An award-winning Florida native plant landscape company in Naples, FL offering professional landscape design, landscape lighting, full installation, and ongoing maintenance. Serving all of Collier County and Lee County, Southwest Florida.

**Who owns and designs the landscapes?**
Ray Pecheone is the owner and principal designer — a Florida native with 40+ years of horticultural and design experience, a Licensed Landscape Contractor in Collier and Lee Counties, and Director at Large for the Florida Association of Native Nurseries (FANN). Chris Traikoff (BSLA, Ohio State) serves as Landscape Architect.

**What areas do you serve?**
All of Collier County (Naples, Marco Island, North Naples, East Naples, Golden Gate, Ave Maria, Pelican Bay, etc.) and all of Lee County (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, Lehigh Acres, etc.).

**How do I get started?**
Call (239) 300-8115 or email inquiry@evergladesnativedesigns.com to schedule a free initial site consultation. The designer visits your property and discusses your goals before any design commitment.

**How much does landscape design cost?**
Costs vary based on property size, site conditions, and scope. A free initial consultation is always offered — no commitment required. Call or email to schedule.

**Do you serve commercial clients and HOAs?**
Yes. We design, install, light, and maintain landscapes for businesses, HOA communities, office parks, retail centers, multi-family properties, and public spaces throughout Collier and Lee Counties.

**Do native landscapes require less maintenance?**
In most cases, yes. Once established, Florida native plants need less irrigation, less fertilizer, and less upkeep than conventional exotic plantings — reducing long-term costs significantly.

**Are native plants hurricane-resistant?**
Yes. Florida natives' root systems are adapted to Southwest Florida's storm conditions and recover faster after hurricanes than exotic plantings. After Ian and Irma, native landscapes in SWFL generally fared better than conventional ones.

**Do you offer landscape lighting?**
Yes — custom low-voltage LED systems as part of new installations or as retrofits to existing landscapes throughout Collier and Lee Counties.

**Is the nursery open to the public?**
By appointment only. Call (239) 300-8115 or email inquiry@evergladesnativedesigns.com to schedule a visit.

**What are Florida native plants?**
Plants that lived in Florida before European settlement. Adapted to local climate, soils, and rainfall — they support native wildlife, resist local pests, and require less water and fertilizer once established.

**Are native plants good for coastal properties?**
Absolutely. Species like Sea Grape, Saw Palmetto, Florida Thatch Palm, and Simpson's Stopper naturally tolerate salt spray, sandy coastal soils, and strong winds — ideal for Marco Island, Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers Beach.

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## Contact

| | |
|---|---|
| **Phone** | (239) 300-8115 |
| **Email** | inquiry@evergladesnativedesigns.com |
| **Contact Form** | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/contact |
| **Location** | Naples, Florida (Collier County) |
| **Instagram** | https://www.instagram.com/evergladesnativedesigns/ |
| **Facebook** | https://www.facebook.com/evergladesnativedesigns |
| **Hours** | By appointment — call or email to schedule |

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## Machine-Readable Resources

| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| LLM Summary | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/llms.txt |
| LLM Full Content | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/llms-full.txt |
| This File (Markdown) | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/content.md |
| Sitemap | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/sitemap.xml |
| Robots | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/robots.txt |
| AI Permissions | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/ai.txt |
| AI Plugin Manifest | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/.well-known/ai-plugin.json |
| LLMs JSON | https://evergladesnativedesigns.com/.well-known/llms.json |