Tropical Updated: April 2026
How Much Does Landscaping Cost in St Augustine FL? 2026 Guide
Understanding Landscaping Costs in St Augustine
Landscaping costs in St. Augustine, FL are influenced by several factors that differ from national averages. The combination of tropical plant selection appropriate for USDA zone 9A/9B, the use of coquina shell as a regional ground cover material, and the delivery logistics across St. Johns, Flagler, and Volusia counties all affect what a landscape project actually costs here.
This guide focuses on material costs — plants and coquina shell — which is the portion of landscaping costs most homeowners control directly. Labor costs for installation vary widely by contractor and are not included in these estimates. The goal is to give you an accurate, current picture of what you'll spend on plant material and delivery so you can plan your budget confidently.
All prices in this guide are based on Tropical Yards' 2026 retail pricing, which represents the lowest available prices in NE Florida for comparable quality tropical plants and coquina shell. See our comparisons vs Home Depot and Lowe's for context on how these prices compare.
Tropical Plant Prices: Per-Plant Cost Guide
| Plant Category | Container Size | Price | Typical Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat Palm / Palms | 3 gal | $25.99 | 4–6 ft apart |
| Hibiscus | 3 gal | $26.99 | 3–5 ft apart |
| Bougainvillea | 3 gal | $26.99 | 4–6 ft apart |
| Mandevilla / Dipladenia | 1 gal | $21.99 | 3–4 ft apart (on trellis) |
| Shrubs & Hedging | 3 gal | $21.99 | 2–3 ft apart (hedge) |
| Ferns | 1 gal | $17.99 | 2–3 ft apart |
| Ornamental Grasses | 1 gal | $17.99 | 2–3 ft apart |
| Tropical Foliage | 1 gal | $17.99 | 2–3 ft apart |
| Flowering Plants | 1 gal | $17.99 | 18 in–2 ft apart |
Coquina Shell Costs
Coquina shell at Tropical Yards is $145 per cubic yard — the lowest price in NE Florida. Delivery is a flat fee by city. Here's how coquina shell costs break down for common project sizes:
| Project Size | Area / Depth | Cubic Yards | Material Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bed (front entry) | 200 sq ft @ 3" | 1.9 yards | $276 |
| Medium bed (front yard) | 400 sq ft @ 3" | 3.7 yards | $537 |
| Large beds (full yard perimeter) | 800 sq ft @ 3" | 7.4 yards | $1,073 |
| Single car driveway | 500 sq ft @ 4" | 6.2 yards | $899 |
| Double car driveway | 800 sq ft @ 4" | 9.9 yards | $1,436 |
See our complete coquina shell driveway cost calculator for more detailed estimates by driveway type and city.
Delivery Costs by City
Tropical Yards charges a flat delivery fee per trip by city. Since this is a per-trip cost rather than a per-item or per-yard cost, larger orders have a lower delivered cost per unit. Combine plant and coquina shell orders on the same delivery to maximize efficiency.
| City | Delivery Fee (per trip) | County |
|---|---|---|
| St. Augustine | $250 | St. Johns County |
| Ponte Vedra | $275 | St. Johns County |
| Palm Coast | $300 | Flagler County |
| Flagler Beach | $300 | Flagler County |
| Ormond Beach | $350 | Volusia County |
| Daytona Beach | $375 | Volusia County |
Total Project Cost Estimates: Small, Medium, and Large Yards
Small Yard / Front Entry Refresh — $800 to $1,500
This scenario is typical for a homeowner refreshing the front entry bed of a standard St. Augustine residential lot — a bed running 20–30 feet across the front of the home with 2–4 feet of depth.
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hibiscus (3 gal) | 4 | $26.99 | $107.96 |
| Cat Palm (3 gal) | 3 | $25.99 | $77.97 |
| Ornamental Grasses (1 gal) | 5 | $17.99 | $89.95 |
| Coquina Shell — 2 yards | 2 cu yd | $145.00 | $290.00 |
| Delivery (St. Augustine) | 1 trip | — | $250.00 |
| Small Project Total | $815.88 | ||
Medium Yard Makeover — $2,500 to $5,000
A comprehensive front-and-side-yard transformation for a standard St. Augustine residential lot (roughly 6,000–8,000 sq ft total lot), refreshing all visible beds and adding a coquina shell accent path or driveway extension.
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hibiscus (3 gal) | 8 | $26.99 | $215.92 |
| Cat Palm (3 gal) | 6 | $25.99 | $155.94 |
| Bougainvillea (3 gal) | 4 | $26.99 | $107.96 |
| Shrubs / Hedging (3 gal) | 10 | $21.99 | $219.90 |
| Ornamental Grasses / Ferns (1 gal) | 12 | $17.99 | $215.88 |
| Coquina Shell — 6 yards (beds + path) | 6 cu yd | $145.00 | $870.00 |
| Delivery (St. Augustine) | 1 trip | — | $250.00 |
| Medium Project Total | $2,035.60 | ||
Add installation labor (if hiring a landscaper) of $1,200–$2,500 for a project this size, bringing total installed cost to $3,200–$4,500 for a medium yard makeover.
Large Yard Transformation — $6,000 to $15,000+
A comprehensive landscape transformation for a larger St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra property — a full-lot redesign covering all beds, a coquina shell driveway, privacy hedging, and specimen trees. Material costs alone for a project of this scale typically run $4,000–$8,000, with installation labor adding another $4,000–$12,000 depending on complexity and contractor rates.
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen Palms (large) | 4 | $150–$500 | $600–$2,000 |
| Hibiscus / Bougainvillea (3 gal) | 20 | $26.99 | $539.80 |
| Privacy Hedging (3 gal) | 25 | $21.99 | $549.75 |
| Accent Plants (1 gal) | 25 | $17.99 | $449.75 |
| Coquina Shell — 15 yards (driveway + beds) | 15 cu yd | $145.00 | $2,175.00 |
| Delivery (2 trips, St. Augustine) | 2 trips | $250 | $500.00 |
| Large Project Materials Total | $4,814–$6,214 | ||
Cost-Saving Strategies for St Augustine Landscaping
- Buy local, not big box. Tropical Yards prices are 10–20% below Home Depot and Lowe's on the same plant categories. On a 40-plant order, that's $100–$200 in savings before delivery.
- Combine plant and coquina shell orders. By putting both on the same delivery trip, you pay one delivery fee instead of two.
- Choose coquina shell over mulch. The long-term cost of coquina shell is far lower than annual mulch replacement — read our full comparison. A one-time coquina shell investment beats 10 years of mulch repurchasing.
- Phase large projects. For a comprehensive yard redesign, phase over 2–3 delivery orders: front yard in spring, sides and back in fall. This spreads the cash outlay while still getting professional results.
- Plant in spring or fall. Plants installed in the optimal windows (March–May or September–October) establish more easily, reducing the number of replacements you'll need to budget for.
- Maximize each delivery load. The delivery fee is fixed per trip. Fill each load with as much material as you need — adding extra coquina shell for a future project costs only the material price, not another delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does landscaping cost in St Augustine FL?
Material costs range from $800–$1,500 for a small front yard refresh to $3,000–$6,000 for a medium yard with tropical plants and coquina shell. Large full-yard transformations run $8,000–$20,000+ for materials plus installation labor.
How much do tropical plants cost in St Augustine?
At Tropical Yards, tropical plants range from $17.99 for 1-gallon ferns and ornamental grasses to $25.99 for 3-gallon cat palm, $26.99 for hibiscus and bougainvillea, and $21.99 for mandevilla and shrubs.
How much does coquina shell cost for a landscape bed?
A typical 400 sq ft bed at 3 inches deep requires 3.7 cubic yards — approximately $537 in material at $145/yard. Add $250 delivery to St. Augustine for a total of $787 delivered.
What is the cheapest way to landscape a yard in St Augustine?
Buy tropical plants from Tropical Yards (10–20% below big box prices), choose coquina shell over annual mulch, and combine plant and coquina shell orders on a single delivery trip to save one delivery fee.
How much does a full yard landscape makeover cost in NE Florida?
A comprehensive landscape makeover for a medium-sized NE Florida yard typically runs $4,000–$8,000 for materials including 30–50 plants, 5–10 yards of coquina shell, and delivery. Installation labor is additional if hired out.
Get an Exact Quote for Your Yard
Call or text 772-267-1611. We'll estimate quantities, confirm pricing, and schedule delivery — all in one call.