How will we know what's our landscape is made up of?

[Kazmi]

Does TV provide new owners with the names of the shrubs/trees/ground cover that they have planted around your home? Our home is being built and we've been provided pictures during the process. The landscaping is done and I've been trying to educate myself based on the pictures - which is not so easy for this northerner. Will we be provided with a list at closing or are we pretty much on our own? Our sales person is on vacation so couldn't ask him and figured this site would be a good place to ask. Sorry wasn't sure if this should have been posted in the newbie section or landscaping section. TIA

[billethkid]

I really don't know but my guess would be there is no record of anything planted by the contractors.

They are most likely given a blanket contract to provide a certain number of plantings and the contractor put in what ever is in the landscapers truck at the time.

Most of it is cheap stuff that most of us tear out anyway.

[Villager Joyce]

Every Friday a person from the Extension Office is at the library at pinellas. When you get here, take a cutting with You. I bet they could tell you.

[Kazmi]

Thanks to the both of you for such quick replies!

Billethkid - I have a feeling you're right on.
Joyce - I've been able to figure out some of it comparing the pictures to those at different websites.

Some of it I'm ok with and will probably keep some of it (my husband will not be happy if I rip it all out and spend $$ for new LOL). Just a little worried about the tree planted in the middle of our lawn. Can't tell if its an oak without a clear pic of the leaves.

[Boomer]

Does TV provide new owners with the names of the shrubs/trees/ground cover that they have planted around your home? Our home is being built and we've been provided pictures during the process. The landscaping is done and I've been trying to educate myself based on the pictures - which is not so easy for this northerner. Will we be provided with a list at closing or are we pretty much on our own? Our sales person is on vacation so couldn't ask him and figured this site would be a good place to ask. Sorry wasn't sure if this should have been posted in the newbie section or landscaping section. TIA


The Sumter County Extension from the University of Florida offers lots of help for us Villagers. You will find plant clinics and classes and speakers. I have tried to educate my Midwestern self on Florida plants but I remain only a work-in-progress.

The extension has plant clinics at the Sumter County Government Annex Office on the corner of 466 and Morse. According to the website, those are on Mondays from 9:00 to 3:00. I have taken leaves and/or pictures there for identification.

Before you start ripping things out, you might want to go to a couple of the classes offered to help those of us who are new to Florida landscaping. I have attended a couple of these classes. It has been a while, but I think I went to Colony Rec Center.

I am not in our TV house right now so I do not have the paper, but you can find the schedule there.

Also, I never have learned to link on my iPad which I am typing to you on right now. :oops: (I forget to find out how until I am in the middle of something.) But, I digress......

So anyway, just wanted to let you know that help awaits through the Sumter County Extension Office and they bring the help conveniently and often to The Villages. We transplants need all the help we can get sometimes.

.....And maybe someone else here can help by posting the link to the Sumter County Extension site.

[villagetinker]

Call home warranty, they should be able to give you the name of the contractor that did the landscaping, and a call to them should get the info you want. They will probably need to come out to identify the plants/trees. I would make a sketch for future reference.
Hope this helps.

[Lovey2]

When we moved in we had a (routine) walk around scheduled with Tri County Landscape, who did the irrigation. I'm not sure if they did the actual landscaping, but she was kind enough to go over every plant with me and let me take the time to write down their names and any info I wanted about each plant. We did remove some of the original plants, but only to thin them out. (I don't care for the hedge look.) And we did relocate some, and they are doing well. Depends on your builder what you get, I guess. Also, just a word of caution, if you are new to Florida. DO NOT overplant...stuff GROWS here. What we had as houseplants up north, grows into trees here. I see neighbors homes that are totally overgrown in 2 years. I find that I'd rather be out playing here, than trimming and weeding, a chore I enjoyed in my last home.

[Kazmi]

Thanks Boomer!

I've been using the IFAS website to do some searching and didn't notice the extension program in Sumter. Now I've got their schedule.

[graciegirl]

When we moved in we had a (routine) walk around scheduled with Tri County Landscape, who did the irrigation. I'm not sure if they did the actual landscaping, but she was kind enough to go over every plant with me and let me take the time to write down their names and any info I wanted about each plant. We did remove some of the original plants, but only to thin them out. (I don't care for the hedge look.) And we did relocate some, and they are doing well. Depends on your builder what you get, I guess. Also, just a word of caution, if you are new to Florida. DO NOT overplant...stuff GROWS here. What we had as houseplants up north, grows into trees here. I see neighbors homes that are totally overgrown in 2 years. I find that I'd rather be out playing here, than trimming and weeding, a chore I enjoyed in my last home.



Read this post and then reread it. It is absolutely correct.


We have kept the landscaping from both homes because it is hardy and planted to please the eye. Most tenderfoots add palms and that is up to you but Florida veterans advise against it, so we didn't.


When we added a pool recently, we had the landscapers dig up the original landscaping in the back and plant it temporarily in the corner of the yard until the pool was put in. They then replanted it back around the outside of the birdcage and it is still alive and, I think, very pretty. P.M. me if you want to see it.


It is your home and you can do what you wish, but the original foundation landscaping is very good in my opinion.

[Phanatic Luvr]

When we closed, some of my plants had tags on them, like my Gardenia's. If you have a cell phone, you can also take pictures and go to a local nursery. They will be able to tell you just by looking at your photo's. Since you live in the south end of TV's, I personally like KB one 462. Take 466A west, to the light at the corner of Powell and 462. Make a right and they are about a mile and a half up on the right hand side, just before 301.

[Kazmi]

Thanks everyone for all of your help!

Phantic - I was hoping they would leave the tags but don't see any when I do a closeup of the pictures we were given. I jotted down the directions for KB and will look them up if I can't get hooked up with the landscaper.

Lovely-I too love to garden but like you, will want low maintenance.

Villagetinker - I hadn't thought about contacting home warranty. Thanks for the tip!

Gracie - please send pics! would love to see!

[graciegirl]

Thanks everyone for all of your help!

Phantic - I was hoping they would leave the tags but don't see any when I do a closeup of the pictures we were given. I jotted down the directions for KB and will look them up if I can't get hooked up with the landscaper.

Lovely-I too love to garden but like you, will want low maintenance.

Villagetinker - I hadn't thought about contacting home warranty. Thanks for the tip!

Gracie - please send pics! would love to see!


These plantings are just three years old. They came with the house and have ALL been transplanted twice. Pool was finished in June. We bought no new plants at all. Added edging. Pine straw for mulch. Very decent weed deterrent but must be added to at least twice a year.

[Kazmi]

Gracie

WOW!! that is gorgeous!! The stamped edging is beautiful too and adds a nice graceful touch to everything. Thanks for sharing.

[tomwed]

I wouldn't be surprised if you took some photos of the plants of trees in question and posted them,,,,someone here will know what you have.

[nice landscaping GeeGee]

[Lovey2]

Yes...it is beautiful. My only regret is that we put dark gray slate chips in our plant beds. I was always changing the kind of bedding and adding to it several times a year in my old house. We lived in SW Florida and got a lot of rain and it washed it out over the curbing, so we went with slate when we got here. It definitely lasts longer but I think it holds too much heat and is ultimately bad for the plants. I should have kept the pine straw, I like the look of it. Just a thought...

[ScarletLake]

We recently closed on a new home. On the morning of the closing, the builder spent almost three hours with us...reviewing everything about the home in detail. I asked him the names of some of the trees, and he was quick to tell us about them. Unfortunately, we have an oak on the front lawn...he advised us to get rid of it immediately. It seems the builders are required to plant an oak every three or four properties.

[dbussone]

We recently closed on a new home. On the morning of the closing, the builder spent almost three hours with us...reviewing everything about the home in detail. I asked him the names of some of the trees, and he was quick to tell us about them. Unfortunately, we have an oak on the front lawn...he advised us to get rid of it immediately. It seems the builders are required to plant an oak every three or four properties.


We had 2 oaks on our property and replaced them with assistance from our landscaper - and quickly as you reported. Once you get to a 4 inch diameter of the trunk it becomes problematic if you wish to change it out later.

[Kazmi]

Our walk thru is scheduled before closing on 9/11 and I've sent an email to our salesperson to see if/when I get to meet with the landscaper. The tree on our lawn looks to be an oak based on the pictures. Of course with the luck of the draw we're the first house to be built on our street and we got the oak. As much as I love oak trees here in MI (the back of our property is lined with very old pin oak) I'm not sure I'd want to keep it for our home in TV. Would I need to get approval from the architechural review or can I quickly switch it out if I can't get the builder/landscaper to agree to do it?

[Ozzello]

The builder is required by the County and State to plant a native tree at every property. Not sure how the get away with planting non-native crepe myrtles, hollies and cultivated species of magnolia.
The oaks and some of the hollies (East Palatka) are the only true native trees I see them plant for the new home packages. Would love to see some maples, dogwoods, viburnums, cedar or cypress planted.
The code was written for a reason, and it doesn't read "plant what ever tree you can buy cheap, and then an oak every couple lots".

[kittygilchrist]

I wouldn't be surprised if you took some photos of the plants of trees in question and posted them,,,,someone here will know what you have.

[nice landscaping GeeGee]

Hey, I would love to id them, what I do know, I have a ton of books from Master gardener class and also can ask them about what I may not succeed in Identifying.

Most new homes in my hood get:
Viburnum, 2 varieties
Indian hawthorne
Lorapetalum
Juniper
Possibly ilex,
holly tree and shrub
Boxwood
Podocarpus

But close ups and cuttings to a master gardener clinic will get you a team, that is even better, and more fun!

[SALYBOW]

Ours came out and ID'd ours and told us how to care for it.

[RickeyD]

Does TV provide new owners with the names of the shrubs/trees/ground cover that they have planted around your home? Our home is being built and we've been provided pictures during the process. The landscaping is done and I've been trying to educate myself based on the pictures - which is not so easy for this northerner. Will we be provided with a list at closing or are we pretty much on our own? Our sales person is on vacation so couldn't ask him and figured this site would be a good place to ask. Sorry wasn't sure if this should have been posted in the newbie section or landscaping section. TIA


At closing you'll receive an inventory list. The plantings will indicate how many of each, either 5gal, 10gal, 20gal etc. but not the variety. Read this list VERY carefully. I challenged warranty on the actual sizes planted verses what was on my inventory list. Two weeks later all my plantings were replaced with what I paid for ( which are now substantially larger then the original plantings) I only had to write them once and they made good on it. Unfortunately many of my neighbors simply tore out the builders crap and planted their own, at their own expense. Check the inventory list very very carefully. Make sure you get what you paid for. This also applies to everything your house consists of, fixtures, cabinetry etc.

[graciegirl]

At closing you'll receive an inventory list. The plantings will indicate how many of each, either 5gal, 10gal, 20gal etc. but not the variety. Read this list VERY carefully. I challenged warranty on the actual sizes planted verses what was on my inventory list. Two weeks later all my plantings were replaced with what I paid for ( which are now substantially larger then the original plantings) I only had to write them once and they made good on it. Unfortunately many of my neighbors simply tore out the builders crap and planted their own, at their own expense. Check the inventory list very very carefully. Make sure you get what you paid for. This also applies to everything your house consists of, fixtures, cabinetry etc.




If you wait about six months to a year, you will have much larger plants. The heat and moisture here grow things fast.


I don't understand why you would challenge fixtures, cabinetry, etc. I can't think of ever reading that anyone had been duped.


We have built many new homes in our lifetime. Although this one is not the largest, or the nicest, it was very carefully built and any problem was quickly solved. We are completely satisfied.


No. I don't work for the Morses, but most people here will agree with me. There is nothing wrong with the building and no plot to hoodwink anyone.

[Barefoot]

Call home warranty, they should be able to give you the name of the contractor that did the landscaping, and a call to them should get the info you want.
The Home Warranty Department is an amazing source of information.
They were able to tell us the original type and color of paint used on our CYV five years after it was built.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Every new home in my neighborhoods gets a magnolia tree and some get two. many are planted in the most absurd places. it looks like they just have to get rid of them for some reason.

[tommy steam]

I too wondered about the many planting around my new home. I don't know why a list is not left with the new homeowner lising what was planted. I know you can go to the master Gardner and find out ( bringing photos) but it would be a lot easier With a list.

[Kazmi]

Here's some pictures of the front.

I think that the small ones in the front are Hawthorn and the grasses by the front door are either Loriope or Mondo grass. But I can't tell what is in the very corner of our house. And I'm worried what the varigated one in the middle is because it may be an agressive spreader type.

I only have a video that includes the tree in the middle of our lawn and I don't know how to cut a picture out of a video. The tree is either a Palatka Holly or an Oak. I'm hoping for it to be a holly or its coming out. If I can figure out how to get a picture out of the video I'll post it.

Any help with identifying some of these would be great! TIA

[kittygilchrist]

Kazmi, when I enlarge for a closer view, the pic blurs. Need a close up of leaves...
Please.

[Lovey2]

all I can tell you is that varigated thingie will not spread. I have several out front. I really don't care for them, but they are easy and certainly not ugly. I let mine have just several tall shoots and cut the rest back. I kinda like it like that.

[kittygilchrist]

What village and street are u on?

[Kazmi]

Kazmi, when I enlarge for a closer view, the pic blurs. Need a close up of leaves...
Please.

What village and street are u on?

Our home is in Labelle North on Nutmeg Ct. Our house is the first one built so we have no neighbors yet to ask them for help like taking closeup pictures. The only pictures I have came from our sales person as a courtesy to keep us posted on the progress.

Without closeups I guess I have to be patient and wait to determine what we have at closing. Which is next week YEAH!!! We are so darn excited!! :a040:

[kittygilchrist]

I know how you feel! I was here for months in a desert of empty lots!

[Kazmi]

I know how you feel! I was here for months in a desert of empty lots!

LOL the last pictures we received showed almost every house on our street is in some stage of construction. At least they get them put up fast so I guess that's better than empty lots and then dealing with the construction. I bet it was NOT fun!

[kittygilchrist]

Watch for nails in the street!
I think the plant by the lamp post is variegated ligustrum. Will try to drive by soon...

[maryanna630]

Hi Gracie.
Can you tell me who you use to lay down the mulch and is it pine straw or oak straw?
Many thanks.

[Kazmi]

Watch for nails in the street!
I think the plant by the lamp post is variegated ligustrum. Will try to drive by soon...

Varigated ligustrum is what I came up with on my search. I found no sites that complimented the shrub other than whoever was selling it (Monovia, etc) LOL I probably will move it to the back and put something else there.

I can only imagine how many nails are around these work sites!! hope none end up in my tires :pray: That would be so nice of you if you find the time to drive by! If you can't do not even worry about it.

We got our final pictures from our sales person and this shows the tree we got. Can you tell by this picture what type it is? I've been trying to figure it out based on the shape of the tree and what little I could see of the leaves.

[kittygilchrist]

I came by your home and unfortunately did not catch you there, but I did look at your shrubs and trees. In the yard you have a Palatka holly. That is native to Florida. Beside the house you have what I think is an American holly. Your Palatka holly already has berries, and the American will only have berries if it is a female and there is a Male nearby. By the lamp post, I still think that is a variegated ligustrum. In front of it is dwarf Youpon Holly (ilex family). It looks best when cut roundy in its natural shape so don't let lawn people flatten the top of it.

Toward the house from the lamppost, you have a few Nandina. Nandiina is an invasive in Florida and produces red berries, which naturalists would like you to cut off so they are not propagated in the woods by birds. There is a sterile variety But I doubt the villages is using it. Grass near the door with the purple blooms is liriope.

Under what I assume is the bedroom windows, you have the lovely Burford Holly. Lucky you these also have bright red berries and are beautiful with their glossy Deepgreen leaves. The shoots from them, at present, need to be cut back to make for denser growth.
on the garage side of the house you have viburnum, and the same plant is used it at the rear for the hedge.

I took a panorama of the construction around your house and if it turned out OK I'll post it later. It's crazy no wonder you are not at home !

Editing post: I left out two of your plants. one is on the far right facing the home striped green and white.. that's a flax Lily..should be good for a few years ..when it starts getting crowded you need to thin it out. No blooms to speak of. The other is the Indian Hawthorne which I think you've already spotted and that needs to be cut in round shape in order to maintain its most natural beautiful configuration .

[kittygilchrist]

Panorama

[Kazmi]

I came by your home and unfortunately did not catch you there, but I did look at your shrubs and trees. In the yard you have a Palatka holly. That is native to Florida. Beside the house you have what I think is an American holly. Your Palatka holly already has berries, and the American will only have berries if it is a female and there is a Male nearby. By the lamp post, I still think that is a variegated ligustrum. In front of it is dwarf Youpon Holly (ilex family). It looks best when cut roundy in its natural shape so don't let lawn people flatten the top of it.

Toward the house from the lamppost, you have a few Nandina. Nandiina is an invasive in Florida and produces red berries, which naturalists would like you to cut off so they are not propagated in the woods by birds. There is a sterile variety But I doubt the villages is using it. Grass near the door with the purple blooms is liriope.

Under what I assume is the bedroom windows, you have the lovely Burford Holly. Lucky you these also have bright red berries and are beautiful with their glossy Deepgreen leaves. The shoots from them, at present, need to be cut back to make for denser growth.
on the garage side of the house you have viburnum, and the same plant is used it at the rear for the hedge.

I took a panorama of the construction around your house and if it turned out OK I'll post it later. It's crazy no wonder you are not at home !

Editing post: I left out two of your plants. one is on the far right facing the home striped green and white.. that's a flax Lily..should be good for a few years ..when it starts getting crowded you need to thin it out. No blooms to speak of. The other is the Indian Hawthorne which I think you've already spotted and that needs to be cut in round shape in order to maintain its most natural beautiful configuration .

LOL about the construction! Someone we met from Dunedin area did a video for us last week and YIKES!! Thank you so much for going by! We will not be there until 9/11 on our closing date so that's why we didn't run into you. We'll get a taste for the craziness of construction then LOL I'd love to see the video. That is so considerate of you to do this!!!

Is the Nandina the ones with the feathery tops? I'll have to ask what variety because that will tell me what size they will get to. I never would have guessed what those are because they look so much like Astilbe.

So the tree that is the middle of our front yard is the Palatka Holly? I suspected that based on the video and felt a little more sure with the pictures we got today. I was a little worried that it was a Live Oak but didn't think TV would try to cram such a large tree into such a tiny lot.

I can see I'm going to have to do some thinning out with the size that the shrubs are going to grow into. Is this typical of TV to put down so many shrubs with each new house? Again thanks so much and sorry I couldn't be there when you stopped by today. Would have liked to have met you.

[kittygilchrist]

I can only load one pic at a time.Var. Ligustrum

[kittygilchrist]

Indian Hawthorne

[kittygilchrist]

Nandina

[kittygilchrist]

Dwarf Ilex, aka youpon holly

[kittygilchrist]

Flax Lily

[kittygilchrist]

Burford Holly

[kittygilchrist]

Liriope

[kittygilchrist]

American holly (i think...)

[kittygilchrist]

Palatka Holly

[kittygilchrist]

And finally, viburnum at the left cornere, also rear hedge!

[Kazmi]

Panorama

Wow! the foundation cement pad for the house across the street was just poured a couple of days ago and they already have it up. Just amazing!

[kittygilchrist]

Both the holly trees may outgrow their space, but that will take years.
I would not move quickly to make changes, there sooooomany options!
Here are some shots of the Palatka.

Leaves are not glossy and some are serrated and some not...beautiful berries, and some shade.
Way, way better than the ugly oaks The Villages plants! Lucky you!
I hope we meet too!

Well, the image page will not load...google images has nice palatkas.
Btw Palatka is a tiny town south of Jax that has the holly named for it as well ss another native, a variety of koontie.

[Kazmi]

Thank you so much!

The Palatka tree is beautiful! I am so relieved that it is not a Live Oak. Yes I feel very fortunate on the landscaping that we got! I just hope the Burford Holly are the dwarf kind. If not the middle ones in front of the window will need to get moved at some point.

Again I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to visit and taking pictures!

Are there any gardening clubs in TV?

[kittygilchrist]

Yes, several gardening clubs...I took Master Gardener classes thru Uf. We provide volunteer service assisting state ag extension ofc to provide public education. It is fun!
I did not know the Burford could be a tree. These are small, and one of my favorites!
It was a pleasure. Should you need me to go over again for any reason, it is near where I live and would be my pleasure to help you. Must be difficult not seeing what is happening!

[Schneil]

We did the same as Lovey2, anytime the irrigation company, a landscaping crew and the numerous other people who will visit your house to promote/sell their services, I took advantage to ask the name of plants and made a little graph of the yard. I have found most of my neighbors have done away with most of the original plantings and put in palms, etc. It's tempting, since when one thinks Florida, they think: palms and ocean. Wrong, we live in central Florida and will get frost. Palms are high maintenance!
Enjoy your new home, new property and new lifestyle!

[Kazmi]

Kitty - some of google pictures show Burfords over 10 ft tall and a few sites say they can grow up to 25 ft. I read you can tell the difference of the dwarf and the standard by the leaf. Dwarf leaves are more puckered. It'll be hard to leave my garden here in MI but once we can officially move to TV I'm looking forward to joining a gardening club since I have so much to learn.

Schneil - I feel really fortunate with the landscaping that was put around our new home. Of course I would have loved a palm tree or two since heck we're in FLA. But I'm sure I'll find a spot to blend a small one it or something 'tropical' that's a little less maintenance. I'm always 'tweeking' my current landscaping/garden in MI LOL

[RickeyD]

[/COLOR][/B]


If you wait about six months to a year, you will have much larger plants. The heat and moisture here grow things fast.


I don't understand why you would challenge fixtures, cabinetry, etc. I can't think of ever reading that anyone had been duped.


We have built many new homes in our lifetime. Although this one is not the largest, or the nicest, it was very carefully built and any problem was quickly solved. We are completely satisfied.


No. I don't work for the Morses, but most people here will agree with me. There is nothing wrong with the building and no plot to hoodwink anyone.


In any business transaction it is prudent, wise and just plain smart to check everything. Challenge anything that you know for a fact is not correct. Simply because plants here grow fast is not the point. If you pay for three 20 gallon plants that is exactly what should be planted. Advising any newcomer to childishly trust the developer is bad advice. Is there a plot to hoodwink people, of course not. Mistakes happen and subcontractors can and always will attempt to maximize their profits no matter who they work for. Anyone in the building trades knows this. I'm glad that you were completely satisfied with your building experience and so am I . I like it here and I like what the developer has and will continue to do but if they attempt to slack off for whatever reason I'll be on them like a fly on s--t. That is life, that is reality.