Quote:
Originally Posted by Uptown Girl
 Hi mrsyarbie,
I too was a little disappointed when I first saw the landscape plants that we 'inherited'. I too was hoping for "tropical' flavor.
After some research I realized that here in central florida our growing zone is a bit cooler than I expected. We are on the north edge of zone 9. Tampa Bay is zone 10.
Many tropicals are borderline here, because of our winters.
That's not to say you can't try them, just that some varieties aren't reliable.
I was shocked to see holly.... and then I found out that many holly varieties are native to Florida!
So what you see here are the easiest and most reliable to get established for the climate. Young (small) plants grow and fill in faster with much less stress and needed attention than bigger ones will.
We have changed out a few plants and added a few that I have done research on. I really had to change my vision. Consider that at least for now you have something in place until you have the luxury of time to choose the perfect plants for the perfect spots.
They could have left us with bare pine straw, or given us all the exact same 5 or 6 bushes. I do see some variety from house to house as they are sold, so although it's not perfection to my artist's eye, it's a good beginning.
Welcome and much happiness in your new home! |
I agree. You run the risk of planting things that won't tolerate the cold and the landscaping at our home in Hadley QUICKLY grew and looks lovely to this day.
I think one of the biggest mistakes new buyers make is over landscaping. We were just talking last night to a neighbor that moved into our new neighborhood from another one in TV and they said that when they put their house on the market they had to pay to remove landscaping that had overgrown in five or six years.
Example. If you plant a two foot tall bottle brush, it can grow to six feet in eighteen months. You need to trim shrubbery here all of the time. It grows SO fast.
I too welcome you and hope you will love your new home and the outdoor area too.
I just planted four Knockout Roses...they are on sale right now at Lowes for seven dollars each. That is another thing...there is a space to plant flowers of your choice in the not too thick landscaping.
We like Pine mulch, it breaks down and enriches the sandy soil that feeds the plants and flowers. Almost every yard person will tell you to remove the pine mulch because there are bugs in it. I haven't found any. I think they are trying to sell you something else. It does BURN quickly, so if you smoke don't throw a cigarette in the pine mulch.
Rocks don't deter weeds entirely and they absorb heat and are too hot for some flowers. But everyone's taste is different and every yard is beautiful and if we all liked the same thing they would only sell vanilla ice cream.
Gracie with dirty paws.