As a dedicated gardener, I’m always wondering what can we learn from our experiences with these storms? My gardens were much more decimated by Ian than by any of the storms this year, and cleanup chores from Ian extended for three months. There were many shrubs and annuals that I had to completely remove, and areas that were once in shade were now in full sun. I lost many ferns and other shade-loving plants that had been sheltered by palms or large shrubs that were destroyed. Many small trees had to be staked and replanted, but I wanted to save them if I could, and they all survived. I evaluated my garden design and used this opportunity to remove some shrubs that I had decided were not my best choices as a novice Florida gardener, so that was one positive result of Ian’s wrath. I noted that some plants survived significantly better than others; chiefly bromeliads, ixora, low shrubby palms, arboricola and crepe myrtles. By the next spring, the gardens were recovering, though looking a bit spare.

When I reflected on my gardens a year after Ian, I was still satisfied with my decision to continue to re-stake my dwarf poinciana trees with each windstorm, and I had added more bromeliads because of their hearty survival and low maintenance. I was very happy that I had removed several large bougainvillea plants and clusia shrubs, because the plants that I chose to replace them were doing well and were much better suited to my garden design. My pool deck was ringed with large mixed containers that were very heavy and impossible to move prior to Ian; several blew over and broke during Ian, scattering dirt and plants everywhere. I purchased large, wheeled saucers that made it easy to move these large pots in preparation for future storms. One year later, palms had sprouted new fronds, most of the empty spaces in the garden had been filled, and I was feeling pretty good about the resilience of my plantings.

This year, as Helene approached, I conducted some proactive pruning on tall plants that had grown robustly during the summer months; I trimmed the dwarf poinciana trees back so that their long branches wouldn’t whip in the wind and cause the trees to blow over as they had in previous storms. I staked plants that were prone to wind disruptions and moved potted plants into the lanai for protection. No sooner had I completed my cleanup 29from Helene than we started to hear rumblings about a possible storm forming in the Caribbean. As it became apparent that this was going to be a major hurricane, I felt confident that I had done all that I could to minimize damage in my gardens.

Three weeks later, I’ve completed the major cleanup after Milton. Two of those dwarf poinciana trees that I had devoted so much effort to save were removed – I finally admitted defeat! I lost many palm fronds between both Helene and Milton, and some of my shrubs were almost defoliated. As I’ve raked up dead leaves and clipped off dead branches, I’ve noted new green leaves beginning to emerge, and my bromeliads are all just where I planted them! I know, based on the aftermath of Ian, that Mother Nature is resilient, and that given time, the gardens will renew themselves once again.

Each storm imparts a bit more knowledge on how to live in paradise and prepare for what now seems the inevitable stormy weather. Is it discouraging? Yes, there are moments when I say, “not again” and wonder how many times I can rebuild. But somehow, I remain resilient as well; if we’ve been granted the gift of a long life and good health to continue working in the garden, we know that this is all part of the cycle that we continually endure, and we proceed with faith in the future!

Cathy Dunn is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer, Garden Club of Cape Coral member, and President of the James E. Hendry Hibiscus Chapter. Visit GardenClubofCapeCoral.com. Like them on Facebook.