What is the best landscape for a barrier island?

Question

I live on a barrier island in New Jersey and have always had a problem with people having lawns and the water they used to keep them lush and green. I've always been a proponent of a low water garden or stones to landscape a home. Someone told me that even with the water usage a lawn is better because it helps keep his home cooler and thus reduces his energy use for air conditioning his home. Does this make sense, have I been wrong all these years? He claimed that stones, mulch or sand would store heat throughout the day.

Answer 1

I would think that the heat stored would be negligible.  You will need to contact your island authority before planting this, but I would plant sea-oats or sea-grass.  It is everywhere here in the Gulf of Mexico, and may do damage to the ecosystem if it is not native to New Jersey. But, if it is not, then I would find an unpopulated portion of an island in the region, and see what is native there.

Sea-oats can thrive in sandy environments and do not require high maintenance.  But again, I would check with an authority to see what they would allow on the island.