Landscape Enhancement FAQ

You can start by driving around our beautiful community and take note of the landscaping you admire. Take a few photos of yards, maybe even stop by to chat with a neighbor about their plants. People are usually quite happy to talk about their landscaping. You can then hire a landscaper to review your project and you’ll have photos of what you would like. The good news is that with the exception of trees, the removal and replacement of existing landscaping does not require Modification Committee approval, provided the landscaping bed(s) remain the same size. The landscaper can do the entire job for you or just the heavy work. You may also enjoy adjusting the design and adding a few plants of your choice over time. But please don’t go too crazy with adding plants because before you know it you’ll have an overcrowded planting bed! Pay close attention to spacing requirements before adding plants!

Sometimes it takes a professional’s eye and experience to know what can be cut back and saved, and what needs to come out. Some of our homeowners are ready for a whole new look and will hire a landscaper to remove most of their landscaping to start with fresh plant material. Some of our homeowners will save a portion of their landscaping, make some hard cut backs and then add some new plant material. A consultation with a landscape professional is your best option in deciding how to bring your landscaping back under control.

You will need to submit a Modification Request Application to add a new landscape bed. The Modification Request needs to include a landscaping plan showing the house location, proposed planting area changes, sodded areas, and all shrub and tree locations including types of plants. Additionally, you should ask for an irrigation check from your landscaper or irrigation technician to make sure existing irrigation can support your new planting bed. New plantings most likely will have very different irrigation needs compared to older more established plantings. If you live in an RCA maintained neighborhood, you can use the Brightview HOA Connect online system to request a consultation with an irrigation technician to discuss your needs. If you agree to a system upgrade a work order will be created. This work order is a contract between the resident and Brightview. Please see here more information.  If you live in a self-maintained neighborhood you will need to call the Irrigation Service you have contracted with.

Quite often existing irrigation will need to be modified to support your new plantings.  Note: Please keep in mind that adding a new bed cannot obstruct your neighbor’s view.

Generally, no. If you are expanding an existing bed edge by a foot or so, that’s not really an issue. If you are substantially increasing the size of a landscape bed you will need to submit a Modification Request Application. The Modification Request needs to include a landscaping plan showing the house location, proposed planting area changes, sodded areas, and all shrub and tree locations including types of plants. Please note that while slightly enlarging a bed in front of your home rarely causes an issue, it can be an entirely different matter on the side of your house where spacing between homes is already often tight. You need to allow a minimum width of 5’ between bed edges to allow the mowers enough room to get through.

Living in SWFL means that you can plant in almost any month. Some things to keep in mind - planting during the coldest months means that your plants will respond slower and not take off as fast, planting during the hottest months means that although the warmth, sunshine and rain is generally a promoter of growth, sometimes the heat and intense sun can be a bit much for plant materials. Your landscaper can help you to decide what to plant and when. And there are lots of resources on the internet about SWFL landscaping.

The RCA does not have a Prohibited list of plants nor does it have an Approved list of plants to use. There is however a suggested list of plants to avoid or to use great care when placing around your home. Many of these plants have proved problematic over the years. Right Plant, Right Place

Choosing the right plant for the right place and not overcrowding will help to make your landscape easier to maintain and attractive for years. Your landscape professional can help with plant selection along with numerous resources online.

You will need to submit a Modification Request Application to add a new tree to the middle of your yard. The Modification Request needs to include a landscaping plan showing the house location, proposed planting area changes, sodded areas, and all shrub and tree locations including types of plants. Additionally, you should ask for an irrigation check from your landscaper or irrigation technician to make sure existing irrigation can support your new tree. Quite often existing irrigation will need to be modified to support your new planting.

Florida’s climate of warmth, sunshine and abundant rain can make many plants grow fat and sassy. Selecting plants that are naturally slow growing, or dwarf varieties will go a long way to keeping your planting in scale with the size of your yard. You must pay attention to mature sizes when selecting plant material. Plants may look small and manageable in the nursery or garden center but once in the ground they sometimes take off like a rocket! Knowledgeable garden center staff, your landscaper and a few good books and online resources will help to educate you on what plants to include in your design.

If you live in one of the 14 maintained neighborhoods you are not allowed to include fruit trees in your landscaping. If you live in a self-maintained neighborhood, you are not prohibited from planting a fruit tree, but it is not encouraged. Maintenance of fruit bearing trees is the sole responsibility of the individual homeowner. Important to know - fruit trees are a draw for Palm rats. Palm rats are also known as roof rats, citrus rats, black rats. They are found more commonly in areas with a tropical climate such as ours, and they are climbers. These pests like to nest above the ground in trees, especially the palm tree, thus earning their unique name. Their main food source is fruit. Rats can cause extensive property damage as they build nests and chew their way through wood, electrical wires, drywall and more.

There is no rule that you cannot. You will have to submit a Modification Request Application to do so if you are expanding a bed or creating a bed. The Modification Request needs to include a landscaping plan showing the house location, proposed planting area changes, sodded areas, and all shrub and tree locations including types of plants. You will also need to make the area highly visible to your landscaper so that the crews do not trim, apply chemicals or mow the garden area. But please note that vegetable gardens can be a draw for Palm rats. Palm rats are also known as roof rats, citrus rats, black rats. They are found more commonly in areas with a tropical climate such as ours, and they are climbers. These pests like to nest above the ground in trees, especially the palm tree, thus earning their unique name. Their main food source is fruit. Rats can cause extensive property damage as they build nests and chew their way through wood, electrical wires, drywall and more.

Any homeowner requesting work to be done in such areas adjacent to their property must submit an Environmental Work Request to the Management Office, which will be submitted to the Grounds/Environmental Committee for their review and Board approval prior to any work being undertaken. Please review regulations here (Page 32, Part 13). A copy of the request form can be obtained at the Management Office or here.

Small landscape stone or gravel is prohibited from use in Riverwood in landscape beds. It can easily be caught in mowers and turned into projectiles damaging structures and possibly residents. You can however use larger landscape rock/boulders as design elements within your landscape beds, unless prohibited by specific neighborhood supplemental declarations or NDS, but must be complementary to the landscape design and lot size. Large landscape rocks are not permitted to be used as edging material for landscape beds.

Large landscape rocks are permitted, unless prohibited by specific neighborhood supplemental declarations or NDS, but must be complementary to the landscape design and lot size. Large landscape rocks are not permitted to be used as edging material for landscape beds.

The outlining of landscape beds may be done with prior approval of the Modification Committee. The MC will consider poured concrete edging that is flush with the turf, and composite edging. Plastic or metal edging will not be approved and large landscape rocks are not permitted to be used as edging material for landscape beds.

Most maintained neighborhoods use pine straw for mulch and it is applied twice a year. If the neighborhood so chooses, it can vote to use an alternative natural mulch, as long as it adheres to Riverwood guidelines. All homes in the neighborhood receive the same mulch. Residents in self-maintained neighborhoods can choose their own mulch as long as it adheres to Riverwood guidelines here (Section V, Part 10, Paragraph C on page 31)

No, as these are prohibited items. Note that the following are prohibited for exterior landscaping or decorating outside of lanai or caged areas: Lawn ornament, sculptures, fountains, artificial flowers, or garden flags, free standing poles of any material.