Stonegate Village Owners Association, Inc.

Residential Improvement Guidelines Addition

March 2003

  

2.36   Landscaping.  Committee approval is required.  The Modifications Committee encourages the use of drought tolerant plant materials for new installations or existing landscape changes, referred to as xeriscape.  Creative landscapes that conserve water  - xeriscapes - are becoming more popular as homeowners look at cutting back on water consumption.  Homeowners have inquired about covenants regarding xeriscaping and many have requested a list of suitable xeriscape plants.  To those who have asked, “Do our covenants allow xeriscapes?”  The answer is a definite “Yes!” 

As an alternative to traditional landscaping, xeriscaping is water conservation planning through creative landscaping. Please remember that xeriscaping requires as much or more maintenance as traditional landscaping through at least the first three (3) years.  Included with these guidelines is a recommended plant list that your can utilize in your xeriscape plan. All xeriscape plans must incorporate the installation of a properly functioning irrigation system to help maintain the plantings.

In case of homeowners desiring to limit the amount of sod/turf (Kentucky Blue Grass) in their front, side or rear yards, with non-living materials, no greater than fifty (50%)percent of either the front or rear yard can be covered with non living materials.  The transition from traditional landscaped areas to a xeriscape area must be taken into consideration with the plan, including lot boundaries of neighboring yards.  The use of non-living materials such as mulch or rock can be an ideal replacement for turf areas and help provide landscape interest.  Mulches modify the extremes of soil temperature, improve soil by producing humus, reduce evaporation loss, and reduce weed growth and slow erosion.  Organic mulches are typically bark chips, wood grindings or pole peelings.  The suggested minimum depth for mulches is three inches. Place mulch on breathable fabric.  Avoid using sheet plastic in planting areas.  The most attractive xeriscaped areas will have fifty (50%) percent or more of non-living material areas covered with approved plants upon the initial installation, typically shrubs and groundcover beds.  Inorganic mulches include rock and various gravel products.  Suitable aggregate of dark, earthtone colors may be used as an alternative mulch material.

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