Introduction
The Village Walk Landscape Guide is planned to be a guide to assist residents in identifying the many plants that makeup the landscape of Village Walk. It is recognized that multiple varieties of plants, trees and shrubs currently exist in the community and it is not intended that all be covered in this guide.

Some plants are more desirable than others. The most desirable categories of plants are Florida natives. They are disease resistant, drought tolerant and require little maintenance once established. Florida natives are identified with GREEN titles.

Some plants are prohibited by Collier County or are not currently approved by the Architectural Control Committee due to undesirable characteristics. These
are identified with RED titles. All others are labeled with BLACK titles.

A copy of the printed guide is available in the Town Center office. It is also available on CD-ROM as an Acrobat Reader file. It is intended as a work in
progress that will be modified and added to as warranted. Suggestions are encouraged and can be submitted in writing to the Landscape Committee or by email to the Town Manager at vmgr@comcast.net
Special thanks go to the residents who contributed so much to making this guide possible: Shannon Clark, Phyl Habig, Ginny La Plaine, Ann MacKay, Marilyn Potting, and Peggy Sage.

Ned Moore
Team Leader and Photographer

ACC – Landscape Guidelines & Suggestions

• must be placed in existing, mulched areas

• the size of the mulched area cannot be changed

• may grow to no more than three feet in height
• must not interfere with normal landscape maintenance, the irrigation system, etc.
• must not cover nor interfere with installed utility equipment
• must not encroach on a neighbor’s lot
• must not attach to any walls or buildings
• must be kept in good condition

• If plants are not kept in good condition, or if the plants are damaged by any landscape maintenance, the Homeowner shall repair, replace or remove them; otherwise, the landscape contractor may remove them

Ornamental Plants   

Ornamental plants require ACC approval.

Common Property

Homeowners must not allow any landscaping on their lot to encroach on common areas

Prohibited Landscaping Alterations or Additions

• Planting of any species listed in the Collier County Prohibited Species List

(see pages 83 & 84 of 2007 VW Community Landscape Guide)

• Planting of any species restricted by Village Walk Homeowners Association

(see page 85 of 2007 VW Community Landscape Guide)
Examples:

• Ficus                                  huge canopy size and aggressive roots
• Norfolk Island Pine          grows to 50’ height
• Washingtonia Palm           grows to 80’ height          
• Royal Palm                        height
• Citrus                                Canker diseaase; fruit rats                        
• Cactus                               Thorns
• Plants considered poisonous and/or halucigenic
• Any change to the topography of the lot, such as a berm, swale, raised bed, rock garden
• Application of mulch other than natural Grade B Cypress

NOTE: A ‘Regular’ ACC application must be submitted for all Homeowner perennial landscape alterations and/or landscape additions. Live Oak removal may be applied for on the ‘Standard’ ACC application (5/17/07). See the VWHOA office for further information or refer to the on-line VWHOA site for downloadable forms.

Suggestions from the Landscape Committee about plants and planting before going to the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) for approval.

• Know the list of plants and trees prohibited by Collier County.
• Know the plants/trees VWHOA will not allow. These are inappropriate for small lots and confined spaces, have high maintenance needs and are hosts to pests.
• Know the size at maturity and the growth rate and habit of everything you wish to plant.
• Try to use “water wise” plants and Florida natives but not all natives are water wise. Comply with Collier County water regulations.
• Planting looks best in a softly curved bed and any tree should be planted within that mulched bed.
• Talk with your neighbors. We live very close to one another and one’s landscaping should not impose on one’s neighbors nor should it cause discord between neighbors. Owners must be able to reach their walls for pest control, washing and painting unimpeded.
• Drainage is extremely important. That is why berms are not permitted. It is important that water run away from houses (yours and your neighbors); perhaps installing French drains or other solutions to carry water away from the houses may be necessary.
• Know that TruGreen will not hand weed every flowerbed nor could we afford to pay for it. The major weed control is by “Round Up”, so please don’t plant what you cannot maintain throughout the year.
• Know that TruGreen will not hand prune every shrub and flower nor could we afford to pay for it.
• The sod we use (Floratam) does not do well in the shade.
• Understand the patterns and forces of the wind around your house. Some plants are shallow rooted and will be blown over while others are brittle and will break off.
• You must have your utilities marked if you are going to landscape. They are in different places and are located close to the surface in many areas. Florida law requires that they be marked before excavation. Call Sunshine State One (1-800-432-4770) or visit http://www.callshine.com for more information
• Consider the appearance of plantings if you are gone for an extended period.  For example, remove annual plants if you will be gone for the summer.
• If you require and purchase additional mulch, notify the VWHOA office for approved type(s).