Hortus Oasis - Creative landscape design, photography and educational services.

We donated landscape design and supervision services to create a garden for the restored historic home Casa Feliz (www.casafeliz.us) in Winter Park, FL. A plaque naming the garden in our honor was mounted on the low brick wall enclosing the rear courtyard.

Casa Feliz was designed by renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II and was originally named the Barbour House for the original owners. It was completed in 1933 on the shore of Lake Osceola and was saved from demolition in 2001. This 750 ton brick structure was successfully moved 300 yards in one piece across Interlachen Avenue onto a portion of green space alongside the Winter Park golf course. You may reach it from Park Avenue or Interlachen. These photographs show Casa Feliz being moved and in its final resting spot.

Casa Feliz was the top ranked Special Category historic preservation grant project in Florida in 2002. A majority of the landscaping was installed in early December of 2004. The grounds contain huge antique amphoras now tipped on their sides and planted with succulents. Plantings also surround the house. Casa Feliz is now available for tours and to rent for special events. Call 407.758.0469 or visit www.casafeliz.us

The landscape design for Hortus Oasis our home (below) progresses. Instead of white, the new house color, creme caramel really shows off the plantings.

The front garden is completed and the plantings are filling in aided by the water saving low volume irrigation. The front brick walkway is centered on the Hortus Oasis logo mosaic (a magnolia blossom). Graceful grasses accent a trio of sabal palms and containers with agaves, aloes and succulents add textural and colorful focal accents. Our butterfly garden is installed along with our potager (kitchen garden) with raised beds and numerous herbs in containers.