Fairchild's Pineland  Pine Rockland   South Florida was once
covered in pines. Our native pine Pinus elliottii var. densa
once blanketed the east coast, mixing with saw palmetto, Serenoa
repens,  coontie, Zamia integrifolia, and a stunning variety of
wildflowers. Most pines grew on what is called the Miami Rock
Ridge. This ridge is primarily composed of oolitic limestone
varying from four to twelve feet in elevation. The Miami Rock
Ridge extends from the city of Miami, south to the Deering
Estate, where it curves westward towards the Everglades. Because
the ridge is elevated, it was a prime area for urban
development, and is now covered in houses, parking lots and
businesses. Less than 2% of the original pinelands remain,
rendering this habitat globally endangered.   Fairchild's
Pineland  Fairchild's pineland was planted in a historically low
lying area of the Garden. To recreate the superior drainage and
elevation needed by pines and their companion plants, a large
quantity of rock and sand fill was used.  F