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In the Grow
landscaping news for central Florida spring 2010
COMING IN FROM THE COLD pREpaRING FOR THE
By Miguel Garces, Account Manager, Central Orlando DRy sEasON
By Lauren Morris, Irrigation Manager
Our FlOrida landscapes have been subjected
as we enter intO the spring
tO One OF the cOldest stretches in the last
and summer mOnths, it is Once
Few decades with average temperatures again time tO FOcus On Our
belOw nOrmal and nights OF belOw Freezing irrigatiOn systems which play
temperatures. the impact OF these temperatures a vital rOle in the health OF
On the landscape is evident. Our landscapes during One OF
the driest times OF the year in
even the most cold hardy plant material was tested this winter. For
the most part, the landscape faired well considering the extreme FlOrida.
stress it sustained. While it is too soon to tell the final effects on
some of the affected plant material, we can make some preliminary your local valleycrest team can help
observations and recommendations for dealing with the different ensure that your irrigation system is
levels of damage. operating as efficiently as possible.
after the change to daylight savings,
we will be able to irrigate two days
LaNDsCapE BEDs a week per the restrictions set forth
by water management districts.
• some plants will likely not come back due to the extent of damage,
their location and exposure to freezing temperatures. tropical species to maximize the time windows
such as crotons, ti plants, gingers and arboricolas are the most available to irrigate, there are
susceptible to extreme cold. palms such as adonidias and roebelinnis two main things to focus on when
might have sustained severe damage with the effects seen soon after evaluating irrigation systems:
a freezing event. considering they contribute a variety of color and
texture to the landscape, • Broken Heads - The entire zone
these plants should be can lose pressure as well as waste
replaced once the risk of large amounts of water each
freezing temperatures time the system operates so it is
subsides. important that broken heads are
repaired as soon as they are noticed
• native plants, hardier during our inspections.
tropicals and woody
ornamental plants may • Blocked Heads – Plant material
have sustained damage can dramatically affect the efficiency
affecting only their of an irrigation system especially
appearance and may if it is blocking the irrigation heads
fully recuperate after and hampering their ability to fully
conditions improve. operate.
examples include
firebush, ornamental
grasses, plumbagos,
oleanders, lantanas,
flax lily, and in some
cases, jasmines and azaleas. these plants can be trimmed back and
fertilized to encourage new growth. plants that died due to their
location should be replaced.
• it may be hard to tell if some plants that have been cut back and
fertilized appropriately will recover. we will have to wait and see how
they do once warm temperatures stay consistent in order to make a
decision if they need to be replaced.
• a small group of plants and palms may have
damage that is not yet visible and will not appear for a few weeks or
months once warmer temperatures return and their metabolisms are
more active.
TuRF For example, we often encounter 4”
pop-ups or rotor heads located in
• bermuda turf very likely went dormant and might be starting turf areas especially st. augustine
to show signs of coming out of this stage. the turf will green up which is often maintained at a 4”
completely when temperatures warm up. it is unlikely that there will mow height as part of a sound
be any permanent damage. agronomic program. These 4” pop-
• St. Augustine turf typically goes semi-dormant. This turf is not as ups and rotors should be upgraded
tolerant to prolonged freezing temperatures as other species and it to 6” ones in order to reduce
is too soon to tell how it will recover. sod replacement will likely be turf interference with head spray
needed in some of the hardest hit areas. patterns.
• zoysia grass which
goes dormant as well,
can withstand very low
temperatures. this turf will
take a little more time to
green up than bermuda and
st augustine. it’s unlikely
that there will be any
significant turf replacement
needed due to cold damage.
• bahia turf areas likely
went dormant as well. this
grass is cold tolerant and will
green up when conditions
are favorable.
now that it appears
the threat of freezing
temperatures has passed,
our teams have started to cut back damaged plant material and risers located in the shrubs can
follow up with fertilizer to encourage new growth. some of the also be blocked and cause dry
rejuvenation may seem extreme, but it is important to remember areas in your landscape. in this
that we must cut back the plants to green tissue in order for the situation, they must either be raised
plant to make a comeback. in some cases, this may mean cutting or converted to pop up sprinklers
plants back to the ground or at least to half their current size. that adequately clear plant material
when irrigating.
if replacements are found to be necessary on your property, there
are several plants that hold up well during extreme cold weather. yOur valleycrest
indian hawthorn, ligustrum, podocarpus, all varieties of viburnum, representative can assist yOu
blueberry flax, ornamental grasses and Asiatic jasmine are some in determining the eFFiciency
examples. and needs OF yOur irrigatiOn
system sO that we are
yOur valleycrest representative will keep yOu inFOrmed prepared FOr the dry seasOn.
regarding the level OF damage sustained On yOur
prOperty, hOw the plant material is recuperating and iF
plant and/Or sOd replacements are necessary.
Q u I C k L I N k s
ValleyCrest in the News
THE BENEFITs OF pRuNING TREEs
By Mary Edwards, Tree Care Branch Manager
many people ask, “do my trees really need to be pruned?” and the answer comes in knowing that the type and
condition of the trees on your property has a dramatic impact on curb appeal.
The first and least expensive option of dealing with trees is to properly maintain them in accordance with acceptable
tree care techniques, ones that research has proven to be the most cost-effective over time, and the most beneficial
for your trees.
at valleycrest, we recommend common pruning techniques including:
• Clearance - Elevating lower tree limbs over walkways provides safe clearance for pedestrians; trees located by
driveways and right of ways should be elevated for increased traffic and signage visibility.
• Plant Health - Pruning can be used to remove or control pests
and disease in parts of the tree; helps to avoid unnecessary use of
pesticides and prevents the problem from spreading onto healthy
parts of the tree; good alternative when the infestation is minor and
limited to a few branches.
• Protect Structures - Pruning branches away from buildings helps to
reduce pest access, reduces moisture and avoids damaging friction of
tree limbs against walls and windows.
• Storm Damage Mitigation - Pruning selected interior tree branches
allows better wind flow through the canopy; produces less resistance
which reduces the possibility of branch breakage.
• Crown Reduction - Pruning can give a tree the desired size and help
to control growth in limited spaces.
the total cost of properly maintained trees is much lower than one
might consider because a healthy tree is one that may not require
removal/replacement or result in a hazard or liability insurance claim.
mature trees, for the most part, are irreplaceable in size. proper
tree care is an investment – trees with proper health and vigor are
attractive and can add increased value to your property.
FOr an evaluatiOn OF the trees On yOur prOperty, please
cOntact yOur valleycrest representative.
valleycrest landscape maintenance | ph 407.292.9600 | 4777 Old winter garden road | Orlando | Fl | 32811
