The Basics
What Plant Installation Involves in Southwest Florida
Plant installation is the sourcing, placement, and planting of trees, shrubs, and groundcover — matched to your light, soil, and design, then set at the correct depth in properly prepped beds. Healthy establishment starts long before the plant goes in the ground.
Planting depth is critical in a wet climate: set too deep and roots suffocate and rot during the rainy season. Salt air limits what survives on exposed coastal lots, and many HOAs publish approved-plant lists. We choose and place material around those realities so it roots in and fills out instead of declining after the first stress.
Local Knowledge
Three SW Florida Plant Installation Realities That Determine Whether Your Plants Survive
Plant failure in SW Florida is almost always preventable. Here's what consistently gets skipped.
Salt & Heat Stress
Planting Depth in a Wet Climate
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Mistake: Planting at or below grade in SW Florida's seasonally saturated soil
SW Florida's rainy season saturates the ground for weeks. Plants installed at or below grade sit in water at the crown — the most vulnerable point on any plant. Crown rot kills more newly installed plants here than any other single cause.
We plant at or slightly above grade in well-drained areas, and slightly mounded in areas that hold water. The crown stays out of standing water during the rainy season — a difference that's invisible on installation day but obvious by August.
Sandy Soil Problem
Salt Air Exposure
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Mistake: Selecting salt-sensitive species for lots within a mile of the coast or on canals
SW Florida's prevailing winds carry salt spray well inland, particularly in Venice, Englewood, and waterfront North Port properties. Species not selected for salt tolerance show tip burn, early defoliation, and chronic stress — costing you the plant and the investment.
We ask about your lot's proximity to saltwater and prevailing wind exposure before recommending a single plant. Salt-tolerant species — sea grape, coontie, Simpson's stopper, muhly grass — go where the exposure calls for it.
HOA Plant Rules
HOA Approved Plant Lists
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Mistake: Installing plants without reviewing HOA approved species lists and height restrictions
Most SW Florida HOA communities have approved plant lists or height restrictions for street-visible plantings. Installing non-compliant species requires removal at the homeowner's expense — a double cost that's completely avoidable.
We review your HOA documents before we recommend or order a single plant. If your community has a restricted list, we design within it. If you want something that may need a variance, we document it before installation.
The Result
The right plant in the right soil. Species matched to Southwest Florida's climate, not a generic nursery list.
This is what the finished job looks like. No surprises, no shortcuts — just the work.
108 Five-Star Reviews
What SW Florida Homeowners Say About Our Plant Work
Amazing company and service. Dennis was great to work with and so helpful with placement and mapping the install of the plants. He is definitely the talk of the neighbors and everyone will be calling for him to help.
Epic Horizons Landscaping did an awesome job transforming my yard!! Planted 91 plants, 2 Christmas Palms and put in new landscape rock. It looks absolutely incredible! Dennis is extremely organized!
I hired Epic Horizons Landscaping again..to remove shrubs/plants that got ruined by frost and cold weather. Dennis designed and installed new beautiful plants..my yard looks nice again..Thank you for excellent job!
Dennis and his guys at Epic Horizon did such a great job! They came and laid some sod, created some mulch(bark) beds and planted plants for us. They cleaned up everything so well and made sure it blended in perfectly with the existing front area.
These two brothers team up very well to provide great service. They are attentive to details, so your lawn and plantings have that professionally cared for look when their work is completed. We highly recommend them.
Epic Horizons exceeded all of our expectations. Quality of work was outstanding. Highly responsive and professional. I would highly recommend Epic Horizons to anyone no matter the size of the project.
This company is Top Notch! They are reliable, detail oriented, and affordable. Dennis is kind, accommodating, and communicative. If you are looking for great service at a great price, look no further!
Dennis and his staff were outstanding. They did everything we asked of them and more. When they finished, the yard looked more beautiful than it did before the storm!
Epic did a great job landscaping my front yard and put in a new border with shells around my entire lanai area. Fantastic work!
Hired this company to mow the grass and planted palm trees, guys did their job quickly , very satisfied, great service
They were very helpful and did a great job fixing up my garden.
Dennis from Epic Horizons Landscaping assured me that they would provide quality work and I was extremely happy with the outcome. He helped me with the final design and it only took 2 days to complete a lot of work. Thank you from a very happy customer.
Transparent Pricing
What Determines the Cost of Plant Installation in SW Florida
Plant installation quotes vary based on species, size, quantity, and site prep needs — here's what drives the number.
Factor 1
Plant Size & Species
A 3-gallon shrub costs a fraction of a 15-gallon specimen. Palms vary enormously — a 4-foot Sabal palm is very different from a 12-foot installed queen palm. We advise on the size/value tradeoff for your specific situation.
Factor 2
Quantity & Sourcing
Large quantities of the same species can be sourced more efficiently. Specialty species that aren't standard at area nurseries may require additional sourcing time and cost. We'll be upfront about availability during the quote.
Factor 3
Bed Prep Required
Installing into prepared, existing beds is faster than clearing old vegetation and grading first. The more site prep needed, the higher the labor cost — but skipping it produces the same result that drove the previous plants to fail.
Factor 4
Soil Amendment Needs
Pure sand sites — common in North Port's newer construction areas — may need soil amendment before planting. We assess during the site walk and include any amendment cost in the quoted price.
Plant installation cost depends on the size and species, the quantity and sourcing, the bed prep involved, and any soil amendment the planting needs. Every plant installation job is quoted individually — there's no flat rate, because no two SW Florida yards are the same. The most honest way to see what work like yours actually costs is to look at jobs we've already finished: browse real completed projects and their pricing →
Right plant, right place, right depth. That's the whole job.
We won't recommend plants that won't survive your specific site's conditions. It wastes your money and our reputation.
How We Work
Our Plant Installation Process, Step by Step
From site assessment to established, thriving plants — here's how every project runs.
Step 1
Free Site Assessment
Dennis walks the planting area, assesses sun, drainage, salt exposure, and HOA requirements, and recommends a plant palette matched to your site.
Step 2
Plant Sourcing
Plants sourced from nurseries supplying installation-ready stock. Delivered on project day — not sitting in your yard for a week.
Step 3
Bed Prep & Grading
Old vegetation removed, bed graded for drainage, soil amended where needed.
Step 4
Planting & Mulching
Plants laid out for review before holes dug. Every plant at correct depth relative to grade. Mulch applied correctly — 2–3 inches, clear of crown.
Step 5
Establishment Briefing & 30-Day Follow-Up
Dennis walks you through watering needs before leaving. Returns at 30 days to assess establishment and answer questions.
Real Work
Two Jobs. Different Properties. Same Standard.
These aren't stock photos. They're actual properties — different sizes, different challenges. I was on both.
Before & After
Before & After: Plants That Are Actually Installed Right
Right plant, right depth, right soil amendment — it shows.
Before
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Areca palms installed and shaped — proper depth, root zone amended for SW Florida.
Dennis's Personal Guarantee
The Epic Horizons Plant Installation Guarantee
Right plant, right place, right depth — backed by Dennis.
Licensed Contractor · SW Florida
On Price
What Separates Plants That Thrive From Plants That Die in the First Summer
Most plant failures in SW Florida are preventable. Here's what cheap crews skip.
Common Questions
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