An area home builder has been honored for the second time in one year for the use of water-wise landscaping.
Rusaw Homes was presented with the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition Award Thursday at the Citrus County Builders Association Spring Parade of Homes event. This is a repeat performance for the builder, which also received the top award during the fall Parade of Homes.
The winning design can be seen at Rusaw Homes’ Oakdale Anniversary model, 2819 West Lantana Drive in the Pine Ridge Estates community located in Beverly Hills. The design and landscaping is by Greenery Landscaping and the irrigation system is by Coast to Coast Sprinklers.
“The winning design demonstrated that water-wise landscapes that apply innovative irrigation technology, native and drought-tolerant plants and drought-tolerant Bahia turf can have curb appeal,” said Angela Polo Maraj, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s regional builder developer specialist. “In addition, the landscape was designed to complement the builders energy-efficient home package and used many of the concepts of the Water-Wise program.”
The Water-Wise Landscape Recognition program is a competition held in conjunction with the Parade of Homes, which recognizes home builders’ efforts to incorporate water-conserving landscaping. The program’s cooperative partners include the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Citrus County Cooperative Extension Service office.
Builders competing in the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition program are evaluated using the criteria and format of the Water-Wise Award program, initiated by Tampa Bay Water for Tampa Bay area homebuilders in 1996. The criteria were derived from Florida-friendly landscaping principles.
This is the first year the Water-Wise Landscape Recognition awards have been a part of the Citrus County Parade of Homes. Audrey Durr and Debbe Hopper, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods coordinators from the Citrus County Extension Service, judged the entries.
Showcasing the water-conserving features included in the Parade of Homes landscapes is a unique way to promote outdoor water conservation. Landscaping and irrigation accounts for up to 50 percent of water used by the average household. Utilizing efficient irrigation techniques and water-wise landscaping is especially important for residents in the District, where water resources are limited.
Visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org or call 1-800-423-1476 for more information about the nine principles of Florida-friendly landscaping and how to utilize water-wise landscaping techniques.