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Iorio Praises Firehouse's Florida-Friendly Landscaping

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By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

TAMPA – The city says it's trying to lead by example by urging homeowners to plant drought-tolerant shrubs and flowers.

Mayor Pam Iorio and other officials this morning visited Tampa Fire Rescue Station 14, at Neptune Street and Church Avenue in South Tampa, to tout the firehouse's new "Florida-friendly" landscaping.

Volunteers and city workers showed up Saturday to plant plumbago, jasmine, coontie palm, lantana and six other drought-tolerant varieties. In all, 90 plants were put into the ground.

Station 14 is the first of 21 city fire stations that will be landscaped with donated materials and labor during the next year.

"We are not only saving money, we are saving water," Iorio said from a podium in front of the firehouse. "Now isn't this an improvement from what it used to look like?"

The station's previous landscaping consisted of withered, brown grass interspersed with patches of dirt and a handful of shrubs.

In addition to plants, volunteers installed drip irrigation and mulch. All of the items were donated. Iorio said she hopes the project inspires homeowners to turn to drought-tolerant landscaping.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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