Saint AUgustine Native Pollinator Garden: A Model for Urban Ecology

Designer: Nick Freeman & Kristina Giddens

Location: Historic Downtown Saint Augustine, Visitor Information Center

Garden Style: Native garden, naturalistic, meadow, ecological

In the heart of St. Augustine, a new kind of public space has bloomed—an ecological oasis for people, birds, and insects alike. Our goal was to transform a neglected, highly visible site into a vibrant and functional native landscape. This project was in collaboration with the City of St. Augustine and the St. Johns Audubon Society.

From Neglected Space to Thriving Habitat

The site was a challenging one. Before the garden, it was dominated by compacted turf grass and weeds. Its edges were overrun with invasive, exotic plants like camphor, golden rain tree, and Brazilian pepper. Our first step was to clear this undesirable vegetation, creating a blank slate for the new meadow garden.

Our design was inspired by coastal plant communities but with a creative twist. While we incorporated local north east coastal native plants like yaupon holly, saw palmetto, southern red cedar, and sand live oak, we also included native plants from other regions and habitats. This broader selection ensures year-round color, texture, and variety while fitting the specific conditions of the site.

A 3,500-Square-Foot Urban Meadow

This 3,500-square-foot garden is a surprisingly immersive experience. Just steps from busy San Marco Avenue, you can enter a serene and colorful space filled with fluttering butterflies, swaying grasses, and a dazzling display of flowers in bloom.

We invite you to visit the garden to see the beauty and resilience of Florida's native plants. This project is a testament to what is possible when design, intentionality, and appreciation for nature come together in a small urban space.