Marie, working in collaboration with W Architecture designed the planting for the New Pier District, connecting downtown St Petersburg, Florida to its Waterfront. The new design creates an active, connected and coordinated sequence of facilities and venues. The planting palette is comparable to a botanic garden, with varied plant groups: grasses, aquatics, pines, and tropicals. The garden collection, with its flamboyant colors, textures, and amplitude, is meant to attract local pedestrians and arrivals by boat. Multiple palettes were created for the space. The jacaranda trees were chosen to create a colorful wow effect upon the visitors arrival and contribute to the identity of the plaza. A pond area was planted with Floridian native aquatic species. A large pine collection was also carefully chosen to thrive in extreme heat, humidity and high wind of the hurricane season.
