[graciegirl]

Here is my view on landscaping and beautiful landscaping here in The Villages.

Some of the best wall builders aren't great plant people. They may build a level and perfect wall and take out all of your plants and sell them to someone else and try to sell you new ones. A lot of selective expertise goes on with these kids who come here and put themselves in business after laying brick somewhere else.

The principles of good landscape design are the same as good interior design. The placing of like objects in threes or fives. The use of the pyramid. Repetition of color and design. Not crowding or making things too sparse. The contrast of one color against the other.

So many people here allow landscapers to carry away a lot of good plants that are hardy and can be used. The landscaper gets to sell you new ones and that is about all I can say about that. They are in business to make money.

I HATE over landscaping, but I also HATE underlandscaping. So many people have all of the bushes removed and put up a wall and put gravel in and then put some new plants in and call it a day. Many look very neat...and too stark.

So many people do NOT want ever to have bushes that need trimming and some people adore plants that don't winter well. Everything grows so well here that a nice landscape that comes with a home can become a tropical jungle in three years without prudent pruning.

That's all I know. Betcha that you are close or over thirty grand on the estimate. I understand your desire to get it right.