Planting stuff in your yard... (HOA, houses, landscaping)

kimba01 · 07-10-2010, 12:58 PM

Ok, apparently we need to plant some "greenery" in our front yard to keep up with HOA rules. (I like my desert landscaping and the lack of maintenance that goes with it, but.....) I think I need to plant 4 plants. Any ideas on hardy, desert plants that don't look tacky? And, is it difficult to do it yourself? Apparently, the previous owners didn't get caught with no greenery!

After reading other posts about hiring out the guys that hang at the nurseries, I am leery of that.

The other option is to just put in artificial turf. I think that may be much more expensive, though.

Any thoughts?

unf0rgiven6262 · 07-10-2010, 01:53 PM

Cactus is green. And doesn't need that much water. That is a really annoying HOA rule. I can see trying to keep the neighborhood up but trying to eradicate individuality is just lame. It isn't enough that most of the houses are carbon copies of each other.

PinkString · 07-10-2010, 02:25 PM

I have several green plants in my yard. They are a good size. And every spring and summer beautiful purple flowers bloom from them. The rest of the year, they are quite green. There is also other greenery out there, it's low to the ground and seems to spread out as it grows. Don't know what it is either, but it gives you that green look. The HOA takes care of the outside where I am, we just have to take care of our back yards.
That artificial turf can get expensive. Not only is it a good chunk of cash to get it installed, but they have to come and care for it once a month. That is where the money goes.
Too bad you can't just plant some grass in say a round area, with a pretty border. Then put flowering plants all around it, and still stay with some of that desert landscaping.

kimba01 · 07-10-2010, 02:41 PM

I probably could do some grass, but keeping it green...we do have a little patch of it on one side and it is good for now.

I kind of like the plants with the orange flowers. I'm going to the nursery to check them out, but I don't know about the hub digging and planting them.

PinkString · 07-10-2010, 03:34 PM

I love those with the orange flowers. Bloom every summer. Where we live, we cannot plant directly into the ground, they must be in planters. Stupid yes. I so want a nice shade tree for my backyard, but the powers that be say no.

kimba01 · 07-10-2010, 03:53 PM

That does stink. I have two trees in the front. Love the shade, but I guess it is still not green enough!

Here, you cannot plant in planters, they have to be taken out and put in the ground. I just don't know if it will be too hard to do that. Patience is not one of my husband's virtues....

Prosze · 07-10-2010, 05:10 PM

bird of paradise, cape honeysuckle, sage, red yucca, lantana

lisa99 · 07-10-2010, 05:23 PM

also verbena, bush morning glory, trailing rosemary...the list is extensive.

Nurseries around town could help you out. Just let them know the HOA rules and they can point you in the right direction.

von949 · 07-10-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkString

I have several green plants in my yard. They are a good size. And every spring and summer beautiful purple flowers bloom from them. The rest of the year, they are quite green. There is also other greenery out there, it's low to the ground and seems to spread out as it grows. Don't know what it is either, but it gives you that green look. The HOA takes care of the outside where I am, we just have to take care of our back yards.
That artificial turf can get expensive. Not only is it a good chunk of cash to get it installed, but they have to come and care for it once a month. That is where the money goes.
Too bad you can't just plant some grass in say a round area, with a pretty border. Then put flowering plants all around it, and still stay with some of that desert landscaping.

And it starts to smell funny after a while. Especially if you have pets.

von949 · 07-10-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimba01

Ok, apparently we need to plant some "greenery" in our front yard to keep up with HOA rules. (I like my desert landscaping and the lack of maintenance that goes with it, but.....) I think I need to plant 4 plants. Any ideas on hardy, desert plants that don't look tacky? And, is it difficult to do it yourself? Apparently, the previous owners didn't get caught with no greenery!

After reading other posts about hiring out the guys that hang at the nurseries, I am leery of that.

The other option is to just put in artificial turf. I think that may be much more expensive, though.

Any thoughts?

I hire those guys all the time for all kinds of jobs. No complaints yet.