Landscape Philosophy & Maintenance

DC Ranch Landscape Philosophy

When you first visited DC Ranch, perhaps one of the first things you noticed was the quality and character of the surrounding landscape. Many visitors are quick to notice how integral the landscape is to the Sonoran Desert. To achieve this result, we have carefully planned and implemented an approach to landscape design and maintenance intended to preserve the unique character of the natural desert landscape that existed long before we arrived. To ensure continuity of this philosophy, we have developed thorough landscape guidelines that steer residents toward designs and plant types that are reflective of our guiding philosophy.

Landscape Guidelines

One of our objectives is to avoid creating neighborhoods that result in a patchwork of landscapes that do not bear any resemblance to our larger surroundings. Instead, we encourage you to study your surrounding and determine how you can make design and plant selections that are both beautiful and appropriate to our desert environment.

If you walk and drive around the community you will notice many examples of where a carefully crafted design can be breathtaking and “natural.”

To assist you, guidelines for landscaping exist in the various Design and Construction Manuals (each neighborhood has one) available at the Covenant Commission office. Included in the guidelines is the approved plant palette for your neighborhood. When purchasing a previously owned home, you can also access your original landscape plans to inform yourself about the plant palette that was selected for your home. Often we find that landscape plans that were originally approved for previous owners are overlooked when a new owner makes changes that are personally appealing. Previous plans can be changed, but only if they stay within the overall guidelines established for the community. For approval of changes to existing landscape plans, please contact the Covenant Commission.

Landscape Submissions

Timelines for submission and installation for Non-Custom Lots (new-build homes) in Silverleaf:
• Landscape plans must be submitted to the Covenant Commission for approval within 60 days from the close of escrow.
• Approved landscape on the lot must be completed within 180 days from the close of escrow.

Timelines for submission and installation for Custom Lots:
• Owners must submit landscape plans along with their architectural plans.
• Landscape installation must be completed simultaneously with completion of home construction.

Please contact the Covenant Commission for the appropriate forms and schedule of design review fees.

Landscape Maintenance

Many subtleties of the natural landscape have been replicated within the constructed landscape. As a result, selected areas of the landscape are not intended to be thoroughly manicured or “picture perfect” at all times. Instead, we try to honor the natural beauty of the landscape with all the imperfections and idiosyncrasies that give the natural environment “character.” This is not to say that any aspect of the community should ever appear unkempt, but rather that “planned authenticity” has been applied to areas of the landscape design.

Landscape maintenance also requires an understanding of where and when to apply certain maintenance techniques and when to celebrate the diverse variations thatoccur in nature. Maintenance is very important and must be carried out with thorough and well-planned approach that ensures a balance between healthy growth and aesthetic beauty. All landscape should be weed-free and not overgrown. Residents are responsible for all areas of the resident’s yard, the landscape between curbs and sidewalks (with the exception of trees themselves in Desert Parks village), and alleyways.

Prohibited Plant List

The following are examples of plants that do not comply with our guidelines and may not be planted in the landscape areas or within pots or containers under any circumstances. Again, the intent with this list of prohibited plants is not to constrain creativity, but to maintain a regionally appropriate living environment. For a more complete list of prohibited plants, please see your Design and Construction Manual.

Any species of tree or shrub whose mature height may be visible above patio walls or from surrounding property, is prohibited unless it is on the Approved Plant List and has been previously approved by the Covenant Commission.

• All Palms not listed on the approved plant list
• All Pines, Juniper or Cedar
• Olive trees
• Oleanders
• Fountain grass
• All varieties of citrus
• Common Bermuda Grass in seed, sprig or sod form
• Mexican Palo Verde
• Desert Broom
• Tamarisk
• Any non-native plant whose height can potentially meet or exceed 20 feet at maturity