§ 9.07. Plant Materials.

The following provisions recommend and restrict the plant materials installed to meet the minimum landscaping requirements.

9.07.01

The minimum size for all shade and ornamental trees shall be 2" caliper as measured 12 inches up from the ground surface. The minimum size for all evergreen trees shall be 4 foot in height. The minimum size for all shrubs shall be two-gallon size container or the equivalent height and/or spread as established by

the American Association of Nurserymen. Groundcover plants shall be installed at a spacing not to exceed 18" on center.

9.07.02

All shrubs shall be installed in beds utilizing some form of edging and containing a minimum of 2 to 3 inches of organic or inorganic mulch. Landscape fabric is recommended in beds containing only shrubs (not in areas containing groundcover or annuals) to aid in maintenance.

9.07.03

Plant materials shall conform to those recommended by the City of Bellevue Tree Ordinance, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, and Sarpy County Extension Office and the City. Selection of plant material shall consider the following:

1.

Recommended plant materials (common and scientific names)

2.

Habitat

3.

Evergreen or Deciduous designation

4.

Height and spread at maturity

5.

Suitability for different uses

6.

Disease problems, if any

7.

Fruit bearing characteristics which may be hazardous in pedestrian areas

8.

Designation for those plants which are native to this geographical region

9.07.04

The use of native plant materials is encouraged to fulfill landscaping requirements as suitable. Native plants or those plants which occur naturally in this region, have shown greater adaptability to the seasonal and climate changes which occur in this region.

9.07.05

Restricted plant materials as identified by the Sarpy County Extension Office because of disease, maintenance, or suitability problems shall not be used to fulfill any landscape requirement.