Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Native Plants

[Stevenson/Bitner (lilbert]

>I would like to know if any cohousing communities have required the use
>of native plants when landscaping the shared open-spaces and/or front
>and backyards.
>Thanks
>Jason
You don't say what king of layout you have, so it's hard to give specific 
advice, but I always try! ;)

We had a landscape plan for the front of the houses that had to be 
implemented before we could move in.  We weren't allowed to "sell" the 
units(to ourselves!) without it.  Since then, only the common areas are 
landscaped by committee. But since we really did most of it before 
move-in, there aren't many decisions to be made.  However, the few 
decisions we have had have been very divisive.  I would not in any way 
recommend that you try to control what people do in their 
private/semi-private space.  We haven't had any trouble with most of what 
people have decided to do, and people MUST have "ownership" in order to 
take care of something properly.  If it is imposed from above, all the 
plants will die anyway. Requiring native plants sounds like a fight 
waiting to happen, but if everyone is in agreement, you can accomplish 
anything you like.  Myself, I'd resent being told what to plant in my 
backyard.



Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento, CA