Builder's Landscaping - or lack thereof

[JohnN]

OK, everyone who buys a new home will have this problem.
The builder's landscaping just isn't really any good.
I can save a few things perhaps, but all the ligustrums and hollies that are up against the next villa.. that grow and grow and grow.. need to be gone.

I want something
tropical
low maintenance
affordable
drought tolerant

suggestions welcome, I'm reading the books and links posted on the other thread,
but personal experience counts for a lot

[pwdasher]

Ok, I'll bite..I so far have left those holly and ligustrums..I did pull up all the cedar things..ugh. I have planted day lilies and social garlic..so far so good. We bought in October of last year, and planted my transplants from our other home, in December. They survived the winter and are thriving now. Neither is very tropical, everyone wants a palm tree, but we left our little holly out front too..just to be different I suppose.

[zcaveman]

I have changed my landscaping twice. First I had three landscapers give me a plan and picked the best layout/price. He lied. I did not have color unless you call green a color. But I did get my palms. I used my lawn service guy to redo my layout and got more color and got rid of a lot of the original and the first landscaper stuff. It was better but still not what I wanted. I added some plants of my own. Color but they could not stand the sun. I had my new lawn guy remove a lot of the plants and went to Porters and bought what I wanted and had the weed lady plant it.

I am in happy colorful heaven now.

[Shirleevee]

So please.....do tell what have you planted for color...?

Here in NY I have my impatients, hydrangea, geraniums and lavender.

Thank you...

Shirleevee

[marianne237]

I realize my comment is probably hi-jacking this string, but I have a problem with the developers landscaping at intersections. Does anyone else wonder who's on the other side of that bush when you approach the intersection?

Have wondered if the people who put in the bushes ever drive around in a car. They put in the landscaping, but drive tall trucks and don't seem to consider us sitting lower in a car. IMO some of the worst is Spanish Springs shopping areas and a couple of the older round abouts in LSL.

[Donna]

:agree:..I thought the very same thing the other day..If there is a vehicle stopped, you will never see it..Very dangerous!

[JohnN]

pwdasher, I appreciate and enjoy the different landscapings too.

The ligustrums and hollies planted just don't suit me.
Ligustrums are not only bushes, but can be trees, they can get 20feet tall.

I don't like pruning frequently, not what I want to do.

I'll find something like a zamia that maxes at 3feet height/spread for the larger areas,
against my neighbors villa wall I'll use lariope or society garlic that spread a foot or two max.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi, I accidentally deleted an email I received. The question was about the Lawn and Garden service that we have.

We do not have a contract with her for any of the services she does. When we are in TV we do, what she normally does.

There are no annual contracts for weeding - cost is $10 per month

Pest control is $20 per month

Pruning, trimming and clean up is billed at $40 per hour, but you are charged in 15 minute increments.

Fertilizer application is based on actual quantities used.

They all sell trees and plants. I found the cost of there plants lower than in some of the nurseries I visited while in TV.

Fernview Farm - Sandra and James Harrison
352 245 7905 email fernviewnursery@aol.com

i think she has been invited to speak this November at the Garden Clubs - one in Hacienda Center.

Hope this helps.

HB