Shrub Management

Extracted from the 2021 Symphony Village Landscape Contract

Residents may "Opt-Out" of residential front bed shrub management.

Pruning (Residential front beds and common areas only)

1. All deciduous shrubs shall be pruned as necessary (at least twice/year). Care shall be taken not to remove too much of the flowering surface branches. The shrubs shall not be "sheared," rather pruned to maintain natural form. Pruning shall include removing dead wood, diseased wood, wood that is seriously infested with insects, weak wood that is not productive of bloom, excess suckers and shoots, and irregular growth.

2. Evergreen shrubs shall be pruned/trimmed only as necessary to maintain their natural form.

3. Pruning shall be done in the Spring and Fall.

Fertilization: Shrubs shall be fertilized only once/year in spring during mulching operations. The fertilization program for shrubs shall provide the equivalent of .82 lb. N/1,000 sq. ft per year (using Hollytone or equivalent).

 Plant Bed Weed Control: (Front beds only)

1. All weeds are to be removed from beds as they appear.

2. Chemical weed control shall be used in shrub beds only when hand removal is impractical.

3. All weeds and grasses growing in the sidewalk and curb cracks shall be controlled with a non-selective herbicide when necessary.

Shrub Disease and Insect Control:

1. An employee registered as a State of Maryland licensed pesticide applicator and trained in the recognition and treatment of diseases and insect pests shall be on the alert for an outbreak of such pests. The Symphony Village General Manager shall be notified immediately of an outbreak.

2. Insecticides and fungicide shall be applied by a State licensed applicator. Application shall be administered if IPM strategies warrant. Rates and timing shall follow manufacturer's recommendations.