Talk of The Villages Florida

Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Flowers or weeds? Sad looking flowers around the common areas and roundabouts (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/flowers-weeds-sad-looking-flowers-around-common-areas-roundabouts-324331/)

jimjamuser 09-20-2021 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thevillages2013 (Post 2006839)
Don’t worry they will rip them out and plant other flowers soon

I have a plant that just "blew in" on its own. It is unique in that it has both green and hot PINK LEAVES on the same branch and on every branch. I see NO flowers on it. It gets about 4 ft tall after about 1 year and seems EXTREMELY hardy and propagates mainly by runners. It impresses me and I have NO clue what its name is??? Please help me identify that mystery plant!
Also, I have no idea (another thing I am clueless about) how to put a picture in this or any other forum. I am a hopeless Luddite - whatever that is?

HORNET 09-20-2021 10:58 AM

Go to Stonecrest or Spruce Creek South before you judge

ditka41 09-20-2021 11:26 AM

Just a little concerned about Villagers stopping in the roundabouts to take something for free. If not in the roundabout, where do they park their vehicles while grabbing? We have enough traffic problems in the roundabouts already, without "stopping" for the freebies. And, if there is a convenient place to park legally, go for it and just pray you don't get run over while getting to the loot. Just a thought.

Happydaz 09-20-2021 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelad (Post 2006881)
I actually love these flowers! Trying to find out what they are as I would love some in my flower beds!

The Latin name of this purple flower is verbena bonariensis. Some common names are purpletop vervain, Argentinian vervain, tall verbena, and clustertop vervain. I purchased a number of these from a local plant retailer, I believe it was KB nursery. They grew beautifully all spring and early summer but succumbed to my heavy wet soil. They prefer free drainage but do enjoy regular moisture. They can suffer from mildew if the soil is waterlogged. I now have some volunteers growing around my yard three years later and they look great! They are growing in full sun and in an area that has fast draining gritty soil. Their airy foliage and tall flowers look great with other companion plants. They don’t over power their neighbors.

jimjamuser 09-20-2021 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy (Post 2006905)
Yes, to your question..... flower budget cuts. A headline in the only news source. CDD 2 supervisor suggests cutting back on flowers to save money. "A Community Development District 2 supervisor has suggested cutting back 10 percent on flowers to save residents’ money on maintenance assessment fees.

Supervisor Bart Zoellner raised the idea Friday at the CDD 2 board meeting at Savannah Center. The board was discussing a proposed $1.5 million operating budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The budget includes an 8 percent increase in maintenance assessment fees paid by residents."

Agreed and I have seen many times the round-a-bouts are SO OVERGROWN that they partially obscured the line-of-sight for the ONCOMING traffic (note : I always don't TRUST and VERIFY what the other drivers are doing). I have also observed oak tree branches partially obscuring stop signs and stoplights.
Also, I would prefer that that 10% flower deduction be applied toward cutting oak branches away from the power lines that can disrupt power during a hurricane or other wind storm!

jimjamuser 09-20-2021 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2007003)
I took the discarded plants that they had pulled out of the beds. They had to do that in order to put in new plants. They do this every quarter. If you're lucky, and enjoy gardening, you will be in the spots where they're doing their quarterly switching and get your pick of the discards before they bag them and throw them in the trash.

There is usually nothing wrong with any of the plants, and if they're not unrooted and burned by the sun after sitting there without soil, water, shade, for a few hours, then they can be easily replanted in your own garden and give you a few months of enjoyment.

They don't sell the ones they pull out of those beds, they throw them in the trash. It's a HUGE waste of money and I can't stand that they do that to perfectly good, healthy growing plants.

Maybe some TV Land garden club should take the leftover plants to the flea market and make some money for their club or for charity?

jimjamuser 09-20-2021 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 2006947)
Nah. I don't think that has happened. Someone may have raised the subject but that doesn't mean they have cut the budget. Sad thing is that the economy has made all things cost more.

One of the things I love about this place are the flowers everywhere and the care given to the public areas. Some people are more "visual" than others.

Sometimes I love the choices made more than other times but I have never not liked them. They are a joy to see.

The economy did NOT just cycle NATURALLY and prices went up. It was the disease that has slowed down transportation - even goods from China, Mexico, and Canada. It was an UNnatural, outlier-type of event that affected the US and the world's Economy. It has affected even the cost of flowers and the manpower (people power) costs to change old ones and plant new ones.

jimjamuser 09-20-2021 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eweissenbach (Post 2007049)
I too have noticed that the general maintenance of the landscaping in the common areas has declined a bit. I have seen weeds growing in cracks of the sidewalks, dead palm branches lying on the ground for days and the flowers seem less vibrant and hearty as in the past. The one thing that has always stood out about TV is the infrastructure and the upkeep. I hate to think that it is slowly deteriorating.

Don't forget that Florida summers are getting hotter and more humid. The Gulf of Mexico water temperature is at high levels. The plants and the selection of plants will, also, have to change eventually.

jimjamuser 09-20-2021 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck.grospitch@gmail.com (Post 2007095)
We've discussed hoping they never plant these again, as now they are blocking the view seeing into oncoming traffic in several of the roundabouts. This could easily cause an accident down by the Rohan roundabout going north from 44.

Yes, I agree and mentioned that also! Killer flowers in TV Land!

Villageperson 09-20-2021 01:19 PM

Villageperson
 
I have lived here for almost 5 years and think these are the prettiest flower combinations we have ever had. I hope they will plant them again in the future. The villages does a great job of keeping our corners pretty!

Holpat39 09-20-2021 01:20 PM

Be patient we have had a most unusual summer. Too much rain and too hot. They will be changed out soon and all the beauty of the flowers that we expect will be back for the winter/snowbird season.

Bogie Shooter 09-20-2021 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck.grospitch@gmail.com (Post 2007095)
We've discussed hoping they never plant these again, as now they are blocking the view seeing into oncoming traffic in several of the roundabouts. This could easily cause an accident down by the Rohan roundabout going north from 44.

See post #34.

Bogie Shooter 09-20-2021 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2007145)
Agreed and I have seen many times the round-a-bouts are SO OVERGROWN that they partially obscured the line-of-sight for the ONCOMING traffic (note : I always don't TRUST and VERIFY what the other drivers are doing). I have also observed oak tree branches partially obscuring stop signs and stoplights.
Also, I would prefer that that 10% flower deduction be applied toward cutting oak branches away from the power lines that can disrupt power during a hurricane or other wind storm!

Don’t the power lines belong to the power company?

A-2-56 09-20-2021 01:55 PM

Flowers or weeds
 
The difference between a flower and a weed really only comes down to if it is in the desired location or it has intruded where it does not belong.
My wife will plant milkweed for a purpose while most people find if unsightly.
I have planted plumbago on a hillside for cover but if it is my yard I spray it.

flflowers 09-20-2021 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDivine (Post 2006975)
When they're putting in new plants they will give you all you want of the plants being removed...
:ho::welcome:

I was told at the Rec Center where they were removing and was told I was NOT allowed to have any.....

Bogie Shooter 09-20-2021 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flflowers (Post 2007240)
I was told at the Rec Center where they were removing and was told I was NOT allowed to have any.....

Ask the guy pulling the flowers.
¿Puedo tener algunas de esas flores?

La lamy 09-20-2021 04:49 PM

They do look a little wilder than the typical TV flowers, but I like them!

jimjamuser 09-20-2021 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 2007192)
Don’t the power lines belong to the power company?

Possibly. Yet, I am sure that TV Land COULD (?) exercise some control and motivation for whoever is ultimately responsible for the lines. But, the problem remains.......that of overgrown oak tree limbs. Ideally, they would run underground. That would or could produce some other problems and also cost a lot - but, there would be long-term advantages and maybe lower maintenance costs and less power outage time.
I have seen oak trees growing on residents' properties that cut visibility to stop signs. That would certainly come under the control of TV Land managers.

tvbound 09-20-2021 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2007149)
Maybe some TV Land garden club should take the leftover plants to the flea market and make some money for their club or for charity?

So the "leftover plants" - have fleas? LOL

Carla B 09-20-2021 07:17 PM

I agree with the posters who are concerned about the view of the roundabout. It doesn't seem to bother the resident driver, but as the copilot, those seedy-looking flowers obstruct my view.

DaleDivine 09-20-2021 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2007145)
Agreed and I have seen many times the round-a-bouts are SO OVERGROWN that they partially obscured the line-of-sight for the ONCOMING traffic (note : I always don't TRUST and VERIFY what the other drivers are doing). I have also observed oak tree branches partially obscuring stop signs and stoplights.
Also, I would prefer that that 10% flower deduction be applied toward cutting oak branches away from the power lines that can disrupt power during a hurricane or other wind storm!

Where are the power lines? I thought they were all underground. I haven't seen any power lines that are close to trees.
:ohdear::ohdear:

DaleDivine 09-20-2021 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2007154)
The economy did NOT just cycle NATURALLY and prices went up. It was the disease that has slowed down transportation - even goods from China, Mexico, and Canada. It was an UNnatural, outlier-type of event that affected the US and the world's Economy. It has affected even the cost of flowers and the manpower (people power) costs to change old ones and plant new ones.

I remember when they used to put flowers in the ponds at Turtle Mound and Sandhill.
I guess that was part of the cutbacks that went away...😔☹

Topspinmo 09-20-2021 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2006801)
The tall ones look like thistle. Hard to tell with that shot though, they're too far away to see any details. Could be cynara or maybe basketflower. They're all very pretty, to me. I love wildflowers though.

If I were the landscaper, however, I'd put them in the middle of the garden, with shorter ones encircling it outward, to the shortest ones at the curb.

Thistle is considered noxious weed in a lot of states.

OrangeBlossomBaby 09-20-2021 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2007347)
Thistle is considered noxious weed in a lot of states.

A "weed" is loosely defined as "any plant that wasn't specifically and purposefully planted/grown by you or another human."

Wild rosebushes are weeds. Wild strawberries are weeds. An acorn abandoned by a squirrel that grows into an enormous oak tree in your back yard - started out as a weed.

A thistle, if planted on purpose, is not a weed.

In addition, I said it LOOKS LIKE a thistle. I also said it is pretty, whatever it is. My opinion doesn't change just because it's considered a "noxious" plant in some states. Lastly, I don't know what would be noxious about a thistle. The definition of "noxious:"
Quote:

harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant
(from the Oxford online dictionary).

Thistles are an important plant for ecology and the natural food chain, and is a significant source for pollinators.

The only "harmful" thing about them would be if you picked one up by its spines. You might prick your fingers. That's pretty much it. There's nothing else about it that is harmful, it's not poisonous to anyone or anything, and it's only unpleasant if you get a spine in your skin - otherwise, it's just a neutral, pretty-colored flower.

Topspinmo 09-20-2021 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2007359)
A "weed" is loosely defined as "any plant that wasn't specifically and purposefully planted/grown by you or another human."

Wild rosebushes are weeds. Wild strawberries are weeds. An acorn abandoned by a squirrel that grows into an enormous oak tree in your back yard - started out as a weed.

A thistle, if planted on purpose, is not a weed.

In addition, I said it LOOKS LIKE a thistle. I also said it is pretty, whatever it is. My opinion doesn't change just because it's considered a "noxious" plant in some states. Lastly, I don't know what would be noxious about a thistle. The definition of "noxious:"
(from the Oxford online dictionary).

Thistles are an important plant for ecology and the natural food chain, and is a significant source for pollinators.

The only "harmful" thing about them would be if you picked one up by its spines. You might prick your fingers. That's pretty much it. There's nothing else about it that is harmful, it's not poisonous to anyone or anything, and it's only unpleasant if you get a spine in your skin - otherwise, it's just a neutral, pretty-colored flower.


Naturally it wouldn’t change you're mind. Aren’t all plants weeds? We just think some are prettier than others. Thistle can over run properties if not controlled (Killed) in some states you can be fined (probably just like J-walking) if you let thistle get out or control, it can take over whole pasture in few years making it useless. Course there are different varieties, thistle where I was raised was ugly obnoxious weed and as teenager I was paid by farmers to kill it.

Kelevision 09-21-2021 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2007347)
Thistle is considered noxious weed in a lot of states.

It’s not thistle.

Macevoyja 09-21-2021 06:28 PM

The flowers near the Lopez area are very pretty. The bright pink flowers complement the yellow flowers. Beyond our area on the north end of TV, the flowers look like weeds and not very pretty.

Kelevision 09-21-2021 08:03 PM

Gomphrena (Gomphrena Globosa Purple) - What a great addition to your flower garden! Globe Amaranth seeds readily produce these bright little golf ball-like blooms. They look so attractive on the bushy, well-branched plant that they're the perfect complement to everything else in the sunny garden. Butterflies will flock to the Gomphrena flowers, and they make an excellent cut flower for either fresh or dried arrangements.

OrangeBlossomBaby 09-21-2021 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2007367)
Naturally it wouldn’t change you're mind. Aren’t all plants weeds? We just think some are prettier than others. Thistle can over run properties if not controlled (Killed) in some states you can be fined (probably just like J-walking) if you let thistle get out or control, it can take over whole pasture in few years making it useless. Course there are different varieties, thistle where I was raised was ugly obnoxious weed and as teenager I was paid by farmers to kill it.

"obnoxious" is not "noxious." You confused things by calling it a "noxious" weed. There's nothing noxious about it, however obnoxious it might be. It certainly would be an invasive plant, if not controlled.

But it's still pretty, and it is still NOT a weed if someone intentionally plants it.

Two Bills 09-22-2021 04:42 AM

Verbena is a great plant to have in any garden flower bed.
Attractive, tough as old boots, self seeding, adds height, and bees and butterflies love it.
We have always let it do its own thing and grow through the more formally planted annuals and perennials.
To much, or in wrong place? Pull it out.
No garden should be without it!

graciegirl 09-22-2021 06:06 AM

Jimmie Rodgers - English Country Garden - YouTube

Two Bills 09-22-2021 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 2008002)

Very nice.
Bit carried away with some of the wildlife though!
The secret to great landscaping is get the heights right,
pack the plants in, and make it look as if the plants did it all themselves.


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