THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994                  TAG: 9407280193
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Editorial 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   24 lines

CITY LANDSCAPING GOES NATIVE GREENER THAN GRASS

Sow it, grow it - and then have to mow it: Why? ``It'' is grass, and the city of Virginia Beach has taken the good advice it gives homeowners by looking for alternatives to great expanses of thirsty green turf. The city's Environmental Management Center is emphasizing native plantings - wildflowers and trees - that take less tending and, more important, less water.

This new management vs. maintenance policy still will take some planning, not only as to what to plant where but when. Hundreds of trees planted along the Dam Neck Road extension died of poor timing. The city says the contractor will bear the expense of planting new trees come fall. It's still a waste. Should the city give thought to a new contractor, too? by CNB