Minimum Landscape Requirements

Standardized Landscaping Not Needing ARB Approval ASHLEY LAKES

Front yards are a part of the streetscape of Ashley Lakes. They are the public face of every house, and are important to the appearance of the entire neighborhood; they are the homeowner/gardener’s gift to the neighborhood. Because of this there are high standards for their configuration and maintenance, and restrictions on which plants may be used.

Back yards are private realm of the homeowner, and regulations here are relaxed. Invasive exotic species of plants, however, must not be used. A list of prohibited species is included in the Ashley Lakes Plant list.

PRINICIPLES OF DESIGN

Just with the design of houses, care should be taken in the design of gardens. Plantings should be ordered in ways that create outdoor spaces, frame and enhance the house.  Formal Style This look plays off the architecture of the house. It is very symmetric and generally layered from high to low, back to front using a few select plants to support the order. The garden is laid out with axes and the balance is clear, careful and geometric.  Informal Style This look is more asymmetrical with a wider range of plants, and the use of curves to soften the feel of the garden. There is a layering of plants to give seasonal interest and surprise.  Eclectic The eclectic garden freely borrows styles, details, or features and their combinations into a design. The minimalist look of a Japanese fountain, combined with the homeowner’s collection of Louisiana Iris and Daylilies and a ground cover of thyme instead of grass, would be an example of this. There is order in this design but plant choices and layout make it more individual and different. Regardless of the style, there should be order, control and design in the front yards at Ashley Lakes. LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS, BY LOT SIZE (Pasco Ord. 602.4)

Lot size (sq. ft.) Canopy trees Lot Size Canopy trees

6,000 and less 2 Per Lot 9,501-20,000 6 Per Lot 6,001-9,500 4 Per Lot

GENERAL NOTES  All plant material (including trees) must be Florida Grade #1 or better.  Maintenance is very important. Mowing, picking up of litter and leaves, trimming, pruning and deadheading (the removal of spent blossoms) will require more attention in the front yard than in the back.  The use of artificial (silk or plastic) flowers in NOT allowed in the Front Yard, including window boxes, ports and hanging baskets.  Invasive species found anywhere on the lot MUST BE REMOVED.  Xeriscaping (landscaping utilizing native Florida plants) is encouraged.  Hedges (min. 18” high) or flowering vines are encouraged along the Street Frontage. CANOPY TREES: Canopy trees selected from the Plant List, shall be planted and maintained in accordance with the chart. See Ashley Lakes Plant List for approved species per Ordinance 602.4 Appendix A.  Front Yard Trees shall be a minimum 15 gallons and 5’ clear trunk.  Required front yard trees must be of a different variety than the street tree (oak).  Additional canopy trees selected from the Ashley Lakes Plant List are permitted in front and back yards.

PLANTING BEDS:  See Ashley Lakes Plant List for plant types and size requirements.  All plant beds must be covered with Pine straw, pine bark, lava rocks or pebbles. No Cypress mulch or bare ground will be allowed. If you currently have Cypress mulch you are not required to remove it until such time as normal yard maintenance standards would require you to replace old unsightly mulch.

TURF AND GROUNDCOVER:  All turf grass must be solidly sodded at installation, not seeded, sprigged or plugged. Reseeding is allowed as well as replacement of dead areas.  Groundcovers selected from the Ashley Lakes Plant list maybe used in place of turf grass.  In addition to the Lot, Homeowner must fully plant with groundcover or sod the following area: o The portion of the common drive that directly abuts their lot between the lot line(s) and the edge of pavement.

SIDEWALKS  Homeowner is responsible for constructing and maintaining the sidewalk in the street(s) abutting their lot consistent with existing sidewalks.

STREET TREES  Homeowner is responsible for irrigating (drip lines were provided by Centex) and maintaining Street trees in the street(s) abutting their lot. They should be limbed up for good health, and not interfere with pedestrian or auto travel.

YARD ORNAMENTS  In the front yard of lots, decorative fountains, sculptures, statues, lampposts, furniture and other yard ornaments must be approved by the ARB if taller than 18” or more than 5 in number.

COACH LIGHTS  Must be in good taste and in proportion to the size of the home. Keep in mind that all electrical work needs to be installed by a licensed electrician in order to remain under the Centex Warranty. SPRINKLER SYSTEMS  ARB approval is not necessary in order to install irrigation systems. However, Pasco County requires a permit be issued as well as an inspection of the finished work. Homeowner is responsible for obtaining the permit and abiding by all county codes.

SOD REPLACEMENT  Pasco County has limits on St. Augustine and Floratam. Although ARB approval is not necessary, the homeowner is responsible for obtaining all permits and abiding by Pasco County code. At no time are plugs allowed to replace a lawn as per the Ashley Lakes Community Documents.

THE ASHLEY LAKES PLANT LIST

The following list contains all plant species approved for use in the front yards and side yards without prior approval. It contains primarily native species, with some acceptable adapted plants. Native trees and shrubs require less maintenance, maintain the natural habitat, encourage local bird populations and conserve water. Xeriscaping practices are encouraged. There are many other plants that Florida homeowners use for landscaping and we do not prohibit them, but Alteration applications will be necessary for trees not listed on the lists below.

In the private realm of back yards, other species may be used. However, invasive species including those listed as “Prohibited Plants” may not be used ANYWHERE on lots or other areas within Ashley Lakes.

Trees and plants are categorized by size and usage. Minimum size designations apply to plants to be used in front yards.

PALMS: Can be used but cannot replace a Pasco County required shade tree.

CANOPY TREES

Minimum Size: (15) gallon Minimum clear trunk: 5 feet  Ash Frasinus pennsylanica  Bay Persea borbonia, p. palustris  Cypress Taxodium spp.  Dogwood Cornus florida  Elm Ulmus spp.  Fringe Tree Chlonanthus virginicus, C. retusus  Hawthorn Crataegus spp.  Hickory Carya spp.  Holly Ilex spp.  Hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana  Hornbeam Carpinus carociniana  Loblolly Bay Gordonia lasianthus  Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora  Maple Acer rubrum, A. barbatum  Oak Quercus spp.  Pine Pinus spp.  Plum Prunus angustifolia, Americana umbellate  Redbud Cercis Canadensis  Red Cedar Juniperus silicicola, J. virginiana  River Birch Betnula nigra  Sourwood Oxydendrum arboretum  Sugarberry, Hackberry Celtis laevigata, c. occidentalis  Sweet Bay Magnolia virginiana  Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua  Sweet Osmanthus Osmanthus fragrans  Sycamore Plateanus occidentalis  Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera  Walter Viburnum, Black Haw Vibumum oboratum, V. rufidulum  Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera

UNDERSTORY TREES (trees that do not exceed the height of the house)  Ashe Magnolia Magnolia  Golden Dewdrop macrophylla Michx.subsp. ashei  Nellie Stevens Holly  Chapmans’s Oak Quercus chapmanii  Chickasaw Plum  Staggerbush Lyonia gruticosa  Scrub Devilwood Osmanthus  Crepe Myrtle megacarpa  Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana  Summerhaw Crataegus flava  Myrtle Oak Quercus myrtifolia  Scrub Holly Ilex arenicola  Dahoon Holly Ilex cassine  Silkbay Persea humilis  Dogwood Cornus florida  Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera  Flatwoods Plum Prunus umbellate  Weeping Yaupon Ilex vomittoria  Persimmon Diospyros virginiana  Pyramid Magnolia Magnolia  Redbud Celtis Canadensis pyramidata Bartr.  Simpson Stopper Myrcianthes  Fringe Tree Chionanthus virginicus fragrans  Red Bay Persea borbona  River Birch  Red Buckeye Aesculus Pavia  Rusty Lyonia Lyonia ferruginea  Blue Jack Oak (Quercus incana)  Snowbell Styrax Americana  Soapberry Sapindus marginatus  Sand Live Oak Quercus geminata

SHRUBS: Any shrub that can be found at your local nursery is allowed. Front yard shrubs should be a minimum of 3 gallons except in the cases of certain plants not being available except in 1 gallon pots. Below are some suggestions of plants available in 3 gallons.  Splitleaf Philodendron  Hibiscus  India Hawthorn  Ilex Schilling  Jacobena  Lorapedalum  Ligustrum  Needle Palm  Loquat  Pampas Grass  Sparkleberry  Paurotis Palm  Pipestem  Raphis Palm  Pittosporum  Salvia cardinalis  Podocarpus  Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens  Porter Bush  Simpsons Stopper  Amaryllis Camphor Cinnamomum camphora  Anise (Yellow and Red) Carrotwood Cupaniopsis anacardioides  Azalea Catclaw mimosa Mimosa pigra  Beauty Berry Cherry Laurel Prunus caroliniana  Blue Plumbago Chinaberry Melia azedarach  Bottle Brush Chinese Tallow Sapium sebiferum  Boxwood Earpod Tree Enterolobium  Burford Holly contortisilquum  Butterfly Weed Asclepsias Guava Psidium cattleianum, P. tuberose, asclepsias guajava curassavica Jacaranda Jacaranda acutifolia  Caladiums Jambolan Syzygium cumini  Cameila Laurel Fig Ficus microcarpa  Camellia Melaleuca (Punk) Melaleuca  Canna Lilies quinquenervia  Chamadoria palms Orchid Tree Bauhinia variegata  Choreopsis Leavenworthii Paper Mulberry Broussonetia (State Wildflower) papyrifera  Citrus – varieties Schefflera Schefflera actinophylla  Coonti Zamia floridana Seaside Mahoe Thespesia populnea  Crinum lilies Silk Oak Grevillea robusta  Cyrilla Silt Tree, Mimosa, Woman’s Tongue  Daylilies Albizia julibrissin, A. lebbeck  Dwarf Wax Myrtle  Dwarf Yaupon Holly  Firebush Hamaelia patens  Fountain Grass  Gallberry  Garberia  Gardenia

 Thryallis  Ti-Ti  Twinflower Dyschoriste oblongifolia  Viburnum Viburnum odorisimus  Virginia Willow  Walter’s Viburnum, Black haw  Wild Coffee  Croton  Ornamental Grasses (no sawgrass)

NOT APPROVED TREES COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME Australian Pine Casuarinas pp. Bishopwood Bischofia javanica Brazilian Pepper Schinus terebinthifolius