Sanibel Island, Lee County
Coastal landscape design on Sanibel Island
Sanibel takes its natural landscape seriously, and so do we. Matt Lombardo holds Sanibel competency certification as a licensed landscape contractor, and our island work, from private homes to the grounds at Casa Ybel, starts with native, salt-tolerant planting.
What we design and build in Sanibel Island
- Native and coastal plantingSalt-tolerant, native-first palettes suited to the island.
- Landscape renovationReplanting and rebuilding landscapes after storms.
- HardscapeWalkways, patios and pool decks that drain fast.
- Water featuresWaterfall gardens like the one at Casa Ybel.
- LightingLow, shielded lighting designed around island rules.
On the island
Casa Ybel, Sanibel Island
The palm-lined entry drive and a boulder waterfall garden at Casa Ybel are part of our portfolio: resort-scale landscape work on an island that expects planting to respect its setting.
Island rules, island conditions
Designing for Sanibel is its own discipline
More than half of Sanibel is conservation land, including the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and the island's rules reflect it.
- 01
Native vegetation first
Sanibel's land development code includes vegetation standards that favor natives and target invasive exotics. Before we design, we check what applies to your parcel.
- 02
Salt, wind and surge
Island planting has to survive salt spray, wind and, as Hurricane Ian made clear in 2022, the occasional storm surge. We favor tough, salt-tolerant natives like sea grape, sabal palm, silver buttonwood and cocoplum.
- 03
Elevated homes
Many rebuilt homes now sit higher on their foundations. Layered planting and well-placed hardscape soften the base and make the entry feel grounded again.
- 04
Turtle-safe lighting
Beachfront lighting on Sanibel is regulated to protect nesting sea turtles, so fixtures, color and aiming have to follow the rules. We design lighting with that in mind.
Designing in Sanibel Island? Let's talk about your property.
Request a consultation for your Sanibel Island home, or call our Fort Myers showroom.
Licensed on the island
Certified to work on Sanibel
Working on Sanibel means meeting the City's contractor requirements. Matt Lombardo has received training through the University of Florida and the green industry, and holds competency certification on Sanibel Island as a licensed landscape contractor.
Combined with our Florida Certified Residential Contractor license (CRC1331625), that lets us design and build the whole landscape, hardscape and water feature package for island homes and properties.
Google reviews
Rebuilt after the storm
Matt and his crew created a rock garden water feature around my pool. The previous water feature had been destroyed by hurricane Ian. The finished product was beyond my expectation…..like a work of art….. very beautiful.
Picture this on your Sanibel Island property.
From the portfolio
More Lombardo landscapes
Glass tile water wall behind a bistro set on a paver patio
Boulder cascade with flowering shrubs and ornamental grasses
Front entry landscape renovation in Naples with a silver Bismarck palm and paver walk
Curved stone planter of annuals beside a pool at Lely Resort, Naples
Cape Coral home front with royal palms, a paver walk and new planting
Mediterranean estate front with Italian cypress columns and a manicured lawn
FAQ
Landscaping questions from Sanibel Island
Are you licensed to work on Sanibel Island?
Yes. Matt Lombardo holds competency certification on Sanibel Island as a licensed landscape contractor, and Lombardo is a Florida Certified Residential Contractor (CRC1331625).
What plants survive salt and storms on Sanibel?
Natives adapted to the coast with high salt tolerance: sea grape, sabal palm, Florida thatch palm, silver buttonwood, cocoplum, beach sunflower and dwarf yaupon holly, among others. Our plant guide marks salt tolerance for every plant.
Can I have landscape lighting near the beach?
Yes, within the rules that protect nesting sea turtles on beachfront property. That usually means low, shielded, carefully aimed fixtures and turtle-friendly light color. We design to those requirements.
Do you replant landscapes after hurricanes?
Yes. Rebuilding landscapes and water features after storm damage is work we know well; one client had us rebuild a rock garden water feature around their pool after Hurricane Ian destroyed the original.
Nearby
We also design in neighboring towns
Request a consultation
Tell us about your Sanibel Island property.
Tell us about your island property, what survived the last storm and what did not, and we will plan a native-first design around it.