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Planning
and Design |
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Right
Plant, Right Place
Promoting
Environmentally
Sound Landscapes |
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Your
yard is an integral part of the protection and
preservation of Florida’s environment. |
Key
to Landscaping Success
Proper
planning and plant selection:
- affects
everything else you do in your landscape
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can save energy, effort, water, money,
etc.
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makes the landscape more enjoyable
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Lagerstroemia
indica
'crape myrtle' |
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Magnolia
grandiflora
'Little Gem magnolia’
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Plan
First, Plant Last
This
is a process, not a one-time event!
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Utilize regional gardening books and
magazines
- Consult
with your local University of Florida
Extension Office
- Ask
qualified nursery professionals for
advice
- Know
the plants and what they require to
thrive
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Have a plan!
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How
Do You Currently Use Your Property?
- Pets?
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Family activities?
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Outdoor entertainment?
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Low maintenance?
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Do you like wildlife?
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Is there a view you want to enhance?
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Site
Analysis
- Soil:
sand? clay? compaction? organic matter?
pH?
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Light: sunny, partly sunny or shady?
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Drainage: wet or dry? What is the drainage?
What is percolation rate?
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Structures and obstacles: power lines,
sidewalks, driveways
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Keep
It Simple
- Don't
plant trees and shrubs too close together.
Space them according to how far they
will spread
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Plant in groups for continuity and
increased visual impact
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Don't place too many different species
in the same area
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Carissa
macrocarpa
'natal plum' |
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Know
the climatic
conditions of your property.
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Shrubs
- Proper
planning is important
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Match the plants to the site
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Know how big the shrub will get
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Trees
- Trees
growing in commercial settings live
an average of 13 years
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Trees in residential areas average
37 years
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Trees in rural, undisturbed sites
average 150 years
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Some species live longer than others
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Rapid growth results in weaker wood
and shorter lifespan
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Ilex
x attenuata
'East Palatka holly' |
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Roots
being damaged,
tree will die
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Urban
Influences
- Compacted
soils
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Over-pruning
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Limited root space
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Too much water
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Mechanical injuries
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Construction damage
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Improper planting and staking
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Improper fertilizing
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Pedestrian and vehicle abuse
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Consider
This
- Changing
the soil grade by as little as 6 inches
can seriously damage a tree
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When building, remove a tree that
cannot be adequately protected and
plant several younger, healthy trees
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When in doubt, consult an arborist!
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More
Factors to Consider
- Trees
with roots damaged by construction
will decline and die over the next
5-10 years
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Topping a tree creates a hazardous
tree in the future
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Trees which are stressed are more
susceptible to insects and diseases
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Split
tree trunk |
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