The Sclar Residence

 

The Sclar residence was a challenge because the lot was very dense with trees and plants, and the placement was poor and uninviting. My initial recommendation was to work with the existing foliage, but to rearrange the location of the many specimen trees to better complement the Bermuda style architecture. We moved the giant oak trees to the setback area along the street and then moved the Date palms closer to the house. And then my team and I created many special areas within the garden that would be inviting. One of the many highlights of this property is the exquisite playground and outdoor dining area that were created within and under the Banyan tree.

"If you are looking for the ultimate professional in landscaping,
someone with a creative and artistic eye, someone with extensive knowledge, experience and integrity who loves what he does, we wholeheartedly
recommend Santi Diaz and his team."    – Dr. Anthony & Mrs. Susan Sclar

When we purchased our home in Snapper Creek Lakes ten years ago, we knew that in addition to finding the right contractor for extensive renovations, we also needed to find an experienced and creative landscaper to design a beautiful and sustainable garden. Although the property was occupied with mature oak trees, royal palms, canary date palms around the periphery of the property, an extensive hurricane palm grove situated between our home and our neighbors and very large Banyan tree that was the centerpiece of the back yard, the garden was not inviting and did not compliment the home.

 

We met with several landscapers who recommended removal of numerous trees, clearing of the palm grove to extend our already large yard and purchase and planting of numerous new trees at considerable expense. When we met and consulted with Santi Diaz, he informed us that our property already had all the trees needed to create a beautiful and inviting garden, but that they were not properly located to complement the architecture of the home. He insisted on maintaining the natural palm grove. Santi provided with a vision of what could be accomplished by relocating many of the trees on the property. He quickly followed up with detailed landscape plans to help us picture what could be accomplished and a proposal including details and a realistic project budget.

 

Santi flawlessly implemented the project which included expertly relocating 13 canary date palms, 6 oak trees and numerous other trees and shrubs on the property with 100% success. Santi also worked with our contractor, architect and interior designer using his creative talents to ensure that you new garden was no only attractive from the curb, but also provided a beautiful and inviting view from each and every window and glass door in the home. He recommended an alternative design for our driveway and designed and installed several other hardscape areas to enhance the usability and beauty of the garden. Santi brought in necessary irrigation and landscape lighting, created multiple sitting areas around the property, installed a coral rock alfresco dining area under the banyan tree and integrated a deck and children’s' playground equipment within the tree.

 

To our delight, the project was completed on time and on budget and to this day we strongly feel that this was the best investment we made in our home. Over the last 10 years our family and friends have enjoyed our garden to the fullest. Santi and his team have sustained the garden with impeccable care and maintenance eliminating the need to replace trees or shrubs.

 

Dr. Anthony & Susan Sclar